Hoogeveen school cancels school-shooting drill after commotion

The Alfa college in Hoogeveen decided to cancel its annual disaster drill - a school-shooting this year - for the time being. The drill will be held later in the year. The reason for the postponement has to do with the enormous media attention the staged school-shooting received, a spokesperson for the school said to Dagblad van het Noorden.

The decision to cancel the drill was made on Monday in consultation with the police. The school wanted to train its pupils how to react to this type of violence. Pupils and their parents were informed about the drill by letter.

The drill was scheduled for Wednesday. The school expects that due to the media attention, "there will be insufficient focus for the practice itself on Wednesday", the spokesperson said. When it will be held, is not yet clear.

"The goal to practice with violent threat continues to hold the attention of the Alfa college and the police, to be and stay well prepared for any incidents", the spokesperson said.