Duisburg Schools Closed Amid Right-Wing Threats

All secondary and comprehensive schools in Duisburg will remain closed today due to a series of threatening messages received by school authorities. The police have assessed the threats as not serious but have opted for precautionary measures to ensure student safety. Distance learning will be implemented as a substitute for regular classes.

On Friday, a threatening letter containing extremist right-wing remarks was sent to the principal of the Gesamtschule Mitte. The anonymous sender warned of potential violent acts scheduled for today. In response, the State Protection Unit of the Duisburg police initiated an immediate investigation.

Following this, the same school received another threatening message on Sunday, which also implicated thirteen other schools across the city. Although experts from the State Protection Unit believe the threats are not credible, they have recommended heightened security measures.

As a result, the district government decided, after consultations, to cancel in-person classes at the affected schools. To further mitigate any residual risks, the Duisburg police will carry out additional safety measures and visibility initiatives at the schools today.

The news of school closures rapidly spread throughout the city, which has a population of about 500,000. Many schools took to their websites to inform parents and students about the situation and the shift to online learning. Students have been advised to utilize digital resources available on the school's platform, IServ, to access learning materials and assignments provided by their teachers.

Meanwhile, Duisburg high schools will continue with their regular in-person classes. An email sent by one of the high schools to parents indicated that, as of Sunday evening, the threat level is applicable only to secondary and comprehensive schools, not to high schools. Parents were given the discretion to decide whether to keep their children home.

The district student council expressed concerns about the situation, noting that many high schools are often located in close proximity to the affected comprehensive and secondary schools. The student representative, Florim Iseini, reported receiving numerous anxious messages from parents and students. He emphasized the importance of remaining calm and allowing educational authorities to take appropriate actions to ensure safety.