School in Sweden shut down due to violence and crime

A Swedish teachers' union has ordered a school in the southern Swedish city of Malmo to be shut down because high levels of violence and criminality are putting pupils and staff at risk.

According to the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, Around 200 pupils attend the Varner Ryden junior high school in the Malmo suburb of Rosengard. The school has been marred by violence, threats, false fire alarms, and harassment. Adult criminals have also apparently gathered at the school.

Peter Burman, regional head of the Swedish Work Environment Authority, told news agency TT that the decision to shut the school down is very unusual, but on Monday any pupil who shows up will be sent home with a letter to the parents explaining that the school is closed.

According to the union, the current situation developed after pupils at another trouble-ridden school, Ortagardsskolan, were brought into Varner Ryden nearly two years ago.

"We strongly advised against it," said Kerstin Kaunitz of the Teachers' Union, "but the decision was carried out for cost-cutting reasons".

Security at the school can no longer be guaranteed, Kaunitz said, adding that there need to be more adult staff present, with more teachers per pupil. Unless the union and the school board can agree on what measures to take in order for teaching to resume, the decision will be in the hands of the Work Environment Authority.

The City of Malmo now plans to hire a security company to help create a safer school environment and, according to the head of education, Hans Nilsson, school staff will also receive training in security routines and conflict management. In addition, some pupils may be moved to other schools in the city.

Malmo, Sweden's third largest city, has seen a string of shootings and severe crimes recently, and the immigrant-dominated suburb of Rosengard has previously seen violent youth riots. Endit