Marseille Incident Highlights Rising Concern Over Student Weaponry
The sight of a firearm immediately caught the attention of witnesses outside Périer High School in Marseille on a typical Tuesday afternoon, May 28. A group of four high school students was apprehended by the anti-crime brigade (BAC) officers on suspicion of carrying a firearm. According to police sources, one teenager had displayed a handgun before securing it in his belt. Upon being searched, the student revealed that the weapon was a fake 7.65 mm caliber pistol equipped with a silencer. Further searches of the group revealed that another student had a real knife. The two 16-year-old students were taken into custody.
During interrogation, the teenagers claimed they had planned to scare a friend as a prank. However, the Marseille prosecutor’s office took the matter seriously, opening an investigation into 'carrying a category D weapon.' The rectorate of the Aix-Marseille academy declined to comment. Cases of students carrying knives in Marseille are not uncommon. In a separate incident last March, a group attacked a high school staff member, and two of the attackers were found carrying knives. Earlier in January, a 14-year-old schoolboy armed with a knife appeared at his school seeking revenge on classmates who harassed him.
Sartrouville High School Triumphs in Anti-Bullying Campaign
In a stark contrast to the violence in Marseille, Evariste-Gallois High School in Sartrouville, Yvelines, has gained recognition for its proactive stance against school bullying. The school won the 2024 edition of the National Education's 'No to Harassment' competition. Their two-minute short film, 'Harassment, let’s protect ourselves!' connects the fight against bullying with the ongoing battle against Covid. The students’ efforts were honored at the Élysée in the presence of President Macron and the Minister of National Education, Nicole Belloubet.
Roughly fifty second-year students participated in this project, directed by their teachers. The video was broadcast in all the school’s classes on November 9, coinciding with the national day against bullying. The school distributed bracelets as symbols of their campaign, some of which can still be seen on students’ wrists. This isn’t the first accolade for Evariste-Gallois High School, which also received awards in 2020 and 2021 for their anti-bullying videos and posters. In the Versailles academy alone, 228 projects were submitted by various schools this year.
National and Local Efforts to Combat Bullying
Since the beginning of the school year in September, a dedicated hotline (3018) has been active seven days a week to report or inquire about cases of school and online harassment. This free and anonymous service is a crucial resource for students and parents alike.
- The increase in weapon-related incidents among school students in Marseille is alarming, highlighting the need for more stringent safety measures and mental health support. The case underscores the broader issue of youth violence and the importance of addressing the root causes, such as bullying and social stress.
- The proactive measures taken by schools like Evariste-Gallois High School serve as a model for other institutions. These initiatives not only raise awareness about bullying but also empower students to take a stand against it. Their innovative approach using a film and the parallel with Covid underscores the creative potential of students in advocating for a safer school environment.
