Flemish Education Minister Zuhal Demir (Flemish nationalist N-VA) has called in the police after receiving threats from schoolchildren. Demir has been the target of teenage anger since last week when she announced that she would be limiting the number of free days off school.
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Education minister calls in police after threats from schoolchildren
Colin Clapson
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From next school year onwards Demir wants significantly to reduce the number of pedagogical study days. She believes that until their exams pupils should also have as many lessons as possible and less time should be lost between the last exam and the holidays.
Teenagers have reacted with indignation: since the announcement, they have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction. A petition is also circulating.
Police are on the case
Some pupils have started targeting the minister personally. ‘I have also seen cases where they put a visor on or add “watch out or you'll be the next Charlie Kirk”. That is not an opinion but a threat,’ says Demir.
According to the minister's office, there have been around 20 to 30 threatening messages sent via various channels – mainly emails – containing threatening language. These are being forwarded to the police for further investigation.
‘I don't want to dramatise things, but threats against me or my family are unacceptable. That’s where I draw the line. These young people may get a visit from the police,’ says Demir.