THE coroner for the inquest into the death of tragic teenager Yousef Makki has written to the Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi to express concerns about the culture of knives in schools.

Almost three years ago, Yousef was stabbed in the heart by Joshua Molnar with a knife which was bought online during a break time.

At the end of the inquest into the death at Manchester South Coroner's Court in November, coroner Alison Mutch came to a narrative conclusion, rather than one of accidental death or unlawful killing.

This was in line with the outcome of a trial at Manchester Crown Court, where Molnar was cleared of both murder and manslaughter.

Although there was not enough evidence to come to a conclusion of accidental death or unlawful killing, what Ms Mutch learnt from the witnesses was enough to raise concerns about the culture of knives in schools.

At the end of the inquest, the coroner said: "There is nothing impressive about the possession of a knife.

"Work needs to be done in relation to the education of young people on the risks that can arise and on the all too tragic consequences of the possession of a knife."

READ MORE: Yousef Makki's death in Hale Barns was not unlawful killing, coroner rules.

Now Ms Mutch has written to Mr Zahawi at the Department for Education to bring the Conservative minister's attention to the matter.

In a Report to Prevent Future Deaths, she said: "The inquest heard evidence there was a culture amongst some teenagers who saw the possession of knives as being impressive, and who did not understand the risks inherent in carrying knives.

"The knife with which Yousef was stabbed had been purchased with ease during a break time at school. It was clear from the evidence schools and education play a vital role in attitudes to carrying knives by teenagers."

Responding to the Report to Prevent Future Deaths, a spokesperson for the Department for Education stressed knife crime has fallen in the three years since Yousef's stabbing.

They added: "We are redoubling our efforts by combining tough enforcement to get dangerous weapons off the streets with programmes like our Violence Reduction Units that steer young people away from crime through early intervention, and through targeted support that keeps them engaged in their education.

"Through our new, mandatory Relationship, Sex, and Health Education curriculum, pupils should be taught how to build positive and respectful relationships, to develop appropriate ways of resolving conflict and that resorting to violence is never acceptable."