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Preschool Teacher Is Stabbed to Death in Classroom in France Preschool Teacher Is Stabbed to Death in Classroom in France
(2 months later)
PARIS — The mother of a pupil at a French preschool stabbed a teacher to death in front of her class on Friday, the last day of the school year, the authorities said. PARIS — The mother of a pupil at a French preschool stabbed a teacher to death in front of her class on Friday, the last day of the school year, the authorities said.
Education Minister Benoît Hamon said the mother apparently had “serious psychiatric problems.” The police said she was taken into custody.Education Minister Benoît Hamon said the mother apparently had “serious psychiatric problems.” The police said she was taken into custody.
Deadly attacks in a school are extremely rare in France, and the stabbing in front of a class of 5- and 6-year-olds raised concern at the highest levels. President François Hollande expressed outrage at the attack, which took place at a school in Albi, in southern France.Deadly attacks in a school are extremely rare in France, and the stabbing in front of a class of 5- and 6-year-olds raised concern at the highest levels. President François Hollande expressed outrage at the attack, which took place at a school in Albi, in southern France.
Mr. Hamon said that the attacker’s child had been in the school for only a month and a half, and that the mother had had little contact with the school staff until Friday. It was unclear whether her 5-year-old daughter was in class during the attack.Mr. Hamon said that the attacker’s child had been in the school for only a month and a half, and that the mother had had little contact with the school staff until Friday. It was unclear whether her 5-year-old daughter was in class during the attack.
The police and city officials would not comment on possible reasons for the attack on the teacher, Fabienne Terral-Calmès, 34, who had two small daughters, Mr. Hamon said.The police and city officials would not comment on possible reasons for the attack on the teacher, Fabienne Terral-Calmès, 34, who had two small daughters, Mr. Hamon said.
Marie-Odile Gay, a member of the regional health and safety committee for the Education Ministry, said that the mother thought the teacher had called her daughter a thief, and that misperception might have played a role in the attack.Marie-Odile Gay, a member of the regional health and safety committee for the Education Ministry, said that the mother thought the teacher had called her daughter a thief, and that misperception might have played a role in the attack.
Ms. Gay said that the mother, 47, had received psychiatric counseling in the past and had been accused by the police earlier this year of abandoning her 15-year-old son. Her 5-year-old daughter was put in the care of social services.Ms. Gay said that the mother, 47, had received psychiatric counseling in the past and had been accused by the police earlier this year of abandoning her 15-year-old son. Her 5-year-old daughter was put in the care of social services.
Some teachers complained that staff cuts had left teachers more vulnerable, and urged better attention to the tensions they face with some parents.Some teachers complained that staff cuts had left teachers more vulnerable, and urged better attention to the tensions they face with some parents.
But a fellow teacher, Robert Couffignal, of the regional teachers union, insisted that the attack was an “isolated case” and warned against going overboard with security measures.But a fellow teacher, Robert Couffignal, of the regional teachers union, insisted that the attack was an “isolated case” and warned against going overboard with security measures.
“Metal detectors at schools are not the answer,” Mr. Couffignal said. “We want to have close contact with the parents that creates a link of trust.”“Metal detectors at schools are not the answer,” Mr. Couffignal said. “We want to have close contact with the parents that creates a link of trust.”
He said the larger problem for schools was tension over a weak economy and a lack of job prospects for young people, especially those from poor or immigrant backgrounds.He said the larger problem for schools was tension over a weak economy and a lack of job prospects for young people, especially those from poor or immigrant backgrounds.