Zagreb teachers dispute principal's handling of student water fight

A faction of teachers at Zagreb's XII Gymnasium has penned an open letter to counter what they describe as a one-sided portrayal of recent school disputes. The educators state they do not align with the public criticism directed at Principal Jadranka Vlahovec, asserting that the narrative presented does not represent the entire staff.

The controversy centers on an incident on May 21, the final day of classes for graduating students. Some students engaged in a water-throwing event within the school premises. Following a review of surveillance footage, the principal issued warnings of termination to three teachers, alleging they filmed the students, failed to prevent the inappropriate behavior, and did not seek assistance from other staff.

The accused teachers have denied these allegations. They claim the students' actions were unacceptable and not merely a harmless celebration. The teachers have submitted photographs to the media, purportedly showing the state of the school after the event, with wet floors and walls visible in the school's spaces. They argue that such behavior, even under the guise of celebration, poses risks and is inappropriate for an educational institution.

This open letter aims to present the perspective of teachers who feel their voices have been excluded from the public discourse. They emphasize that the school is an educational institution where behavior that endangers others or damages property is not permissible, regardless of the context.