SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Pehrson: My school became a terrifying place

Minister of Education Johan Pehrson (L) describes Tuesday, February 4, as a black day for Sweden and Örebro. "On Tuesday, Campus Risbergska, where I once played blackjack in the corridors, was transformed into a place of horror", he writes on Dagens Nyheter's debate page.

» Published: February 07 2025

Pehrson: My school became a terrifying place
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

The Örebro native Pehrson spent his high school years at the school where ten people were shot dead a few days ago.

"The collective trauma that Örebro and Sweden are experiencing will take a long time to heal," writes the minister in DN.

At the "same yellow brick building" where Johan Pehrson graduated "relatives are now mourning lost family members".

"A sister or brother, a mother or father. Friends whose laughter, thoughts, and feelings one will never be able to share again."

Pehrson promises proposals and measures from the government to "strengthen security and safety" in schools.

But he says at the same time that the solutions must not turn Sweden into the USA with just "more locks, more security doors, more fences, and heavier armed police". Society, schools, and social services must also be given the right conditions.

"A Sweden with safety and future dreams can only become possible if none of us turn a blind eye to the fellow human beings who need our help," writes Pehrson.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Gunfire Hits Apartment Door in Stockholm Suburb; Police Investigate

Gunfire Hits Apartment Door in Stockholm Suburb; Police Investigate

Sweden Unveils First Baltic Marine National Park in Nämdöskärgården

Sweden Unveils First Baltic Marine National Park in Nämdöskärgården

Train Service Resumes North of Stockholm After Brief Halt

Train Service Resumes North of Stockholm After Brief Halt

Astronauts Return After 9 Months in Space: Health Challenges Await

Astronauts Return After 9 Months in Space: Health Challenges Await

Police Safely Disarm Suspicious Object in Helsingborg, Sweden

Police Safely Disarm Suspicious Object in Helsingborg, Sweden

Prosecutor: Evidence Mounts Against Ex-Security Adviser Landerholm

Prosecutor: Evidence Mounts Against Ex-Security Adviser Landerholm

Swedish Ombudsman Criticizes Prison for Denying Haircuts to Detainees

Swedish Ombudsman Criticizes Prison for Denying Haircuts to Detainees

Captain Sentenced for Fatal Gothenburg Boat Crash

Captain Sentenced for Fatal Gothenburg Boat Crash

Lawyer with Crime Links Dismissed from Swedish Tax Agency

Lawyer with Crime Links Dismissed from Swedish Tax Agency

Sweden's A-Tractor Age Limit Likely to Stay at 15 After EU Talks

Sweden's A-Tractor Age Limit Likely to Stay at 15 After EU Talks

Record number of people detained for fraud against the elderly

Record number of people detained for fraud against the elderly

Five Charged for Shooting at Israeli Company

Five Charged for Shooting at Israeli Company

Municipal Council Chairman Suspected of Attempted Rape

Municipal Council Chairman Suspected of Attempted Rape

Police: The Security Zone Had a Short-Term Effect

Police: The Security Zone Had a Short-Term Effect

Sweden Launches Inquiry into Honor Oppression in Schools

Sweden Launches Inquiry into Honor Oppression in Schools

Suspected Client of Skurup Murder Arrested

Suspected Client of Skurup Murder Arrested

Slaughtered in the basement – may be sentenced for animal cruelty

Slaughtered in the basement – may be sentenced for animal cruelty

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute warns of grass fires

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute warns of grass fires

Journalists' Association Warns - Harder to Scrutinize NATO

Journalists' Association Warns - Harder to Scrutinize NATO

Pupil got concussion – stranglehold in school

Pupil got concussion – stranglehold in school

Center Party: There are cheaper alternatives to new nuclear power

Center Party: There are cheaper alternatives to new nuclear power

Sick parrot didn't get care – owner prosecuted

Sick parrot didn't get care – owner prosecuted

The Gaming Inspectorate Criticizes S Lotteries

The Gaming Inspectorate Criticizes S Lotteries

Record number flee climate disasters

Record number flee climate disasters

Hultsfred introduces ban on laughing gas

Hultsfred introduces ban on laughing gas

Complaints to the Parliamentary Ombudsman increase – "there are risks"

Complaints to the Parliamentary Ombudsman increase – "there are risks"

This is how you get a grip on the future shoreline

This is how you get a grip on the future shoreline

Nine Convicted of Fraud via Dating Sites

Nine Convicted of Fraud via Dating Sites

Amazon starts listening to everything you say

Amazon starts listening to everything you say

Woman found dead – man arrested for murder

Woman found dead – man arrested for murder

Investigation of Millennium Failure Completed

Investigation of Millennium Failure Completed

16-year-old convicted of raping a minor girl

16-year-old convicted of raping a minor girl

Threatening S-Politician Relieved of Teaching Job

Threatening S-Politician Relieved of Teaching Job

The Climate Minister Rejects Climate Report

The Climate Minister Rejects Climate Report

Two Sentenced to 16 Years for Murder at Nightclub

Two Sentenced to 16 Years for Murder at Nightclub

Investigation: Violence and Threats Against Witnesses in the Lundin Case

Investigation: Violence and Threats Against Witnesses in the Lundin Case

That's why the Constitutional Committee is pausing its investigation of the Prime Minister

That's why the Constitutional Committee is pausing its investigation of the Prime Minister

The Warning: "Criminality Threatens the Entire Society"

The Warning: "Criminality Threatens the Entire Society"

All newborns to receive medicine against RS virus

All newborns to receive medicine against RS virus

School leader convicted - demanded nude photos from student

School leader convicted - demanded nude photos from student