HELSINKI, Oct. 29 (Xinhua)-- The government of Finland has added 1 million euros (1.11 million U.S. dollars) to its supplementary budget to provide support to trauma-affected students after the sword attack at Savo Vocational School in Kuopio, eastern Finland, on Oct. 1.

The government said on Tuesday that if the proposal is approved by parliament, 400,000 euros will be allocated to the Ministry of Education and Culture, while another 600,000 euros will be granted to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

The funding will be used to provide psychological aftercare to those students of the school whose lives and activities were affected by the tragedy. The aim is to restore their mental balance and maintain working and functional capacity at the individual, family and community levels.

The additional funding is meant to cover the costs of recruiting psychological support professionals, ensuring adequate services provided in student and occupational healthcare, and increasing the number of teaching staff and supervisors.

Furthermore, any costs incurred by the vocational school relating to the attack will be reimbursed, said the government.

One person was killed and 10 others injured in the attack. The suspect and a police officer were seriously wounded.

The 25-year-old suspected attacker is a "native-born Finnish citizen," a male student of the school. He has been arrested and is facing charges of murder and attempted murder. He could also stand trial for plotting to cause harm to life or health and will be charged for setting fire at the school shortly before the attack. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)