Update: Romanian seventh-grader attacks teacher and classmate with knife over religion

In a statement published on Monday, October 19, on the website of the Ministry of Education, Romania’s interim education minister Mihai Dimian called on parliamentarians to support changes to the legal framework to prevent violence in schools. His proposals included introducing special criminal protection for education staff who are threatened or assaulted, as well as the rapid provision of legal assistance and psychological support.

The moment of the stabbing was caught by a surveillance camera at the Ștefan cel Mare Secondary School in Bistrița. The 28-year-old math teacher is currently undergoing several surgical reconstructive and thoracic procedures. Her condition is stable and, according to the available information, her life is not in danger.

Investigators also noted that the 13-year-old planned the attack for months. His target was reportedly an Indian student, adopted by a Romanian family, who studies in the class taught by the math teacher at the time of the attack.