Teachers to be trained to tackle school shootings

Following fatal school shootings in Germany, Finland, and the US, the Swedish National Education Agency (Skolverket) has decided to educate all school personnel about violence and weapons at work. 

"It's critical that the faculty have thought through this and are prepared," Annika Hjelm, director of education at the agency, told Sveriges Radio.

"When it actually happens everything turns to chaos and people don't think normally. But they have to react quickly."

Hjelm added that the vast majority of schools will never be affected, but if anything does happen school faculty should be able to assist police and rescue forces.

"There's a chance that some form of mental preparation for such events can save lives." 

The agency, in cooperation with national police and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, plan to release the educational guide next week.

The guide instructs school staff to be aware of factors which may become crucial in a violent situation, such as types of doors and locks, and sets guidelines for how to respond to knives, gun threats, and other forms of violence at school.

TT/The Local/sr