$7.5 million boost for school security
JEWISH day schools across Australia will share in more than $7.5 million in funding over three years under the Coalition government’s Schools Security Programme, announced on Monday.
Fifty-four schools across the country will receive the funding, with Jewish schools making up 17 of the 54, and the rest being a mixture of Islamic, government and independent schools.
“This support recognises the unique security circumstances that some schools unfortunately face,” said Minister for Justice Michael Keenan, who announced the funding plan.
“The Coalition government firmly believes that when children go to school in this country, the only thing parents should be thinking about is their child’s education – not their safety,” Keenan told The AJN.
While the secure schools grants have been running for several years, in this round for the first time funding can be used to employ security guards, as well as for the installation of security infrastructure, such as closed-circuit television cameras, security lighting, and fencing. This delivers on a commitment made by the Coalition prior to the last federal election.
The Australian Council of Jewish Schools (ACJS) lauded the continuing bipartisan support on these matters.
“ACJS has for a number of years successfully been seeking assistance in respect of security costs being incurred at our schools,” ACJS executive director Len Hain said.
“Most importantly, we have been agitating for the government to assist in the huge costs associated with guards.”
Many Jewish day schools have a security levy separate to school fees, though were largely unable to confirm whether such a levy would be reduced as a result of the funding boost. At the time The AJN went to press, a number of the schools contacted had not yet received official confirmation from the government detailing their grants.
Member for Higgins Kelly O’Dwyer has been an advocate for security funding for schools that may be at greater risk of attack, harassment or violence caused by racial or religious intolerance.
“Sadly, due to the determination of some in our community to cause harm, schools such as The King David School require extra protection,” O’Dwyer said.
Member for Wentworth Malcolm Turnbull welcomed funding for the three Jewish schools in his electorate – Emanuel, Kesser Torah and Moriah. “Around the world, Jewish schools and the Jewish community have tragically been targets of violent attacks. Secure Schools funding will go some way toward protecting schools from these sorts of outrages,” he said.
PHOEBE ROTH
Police and members of CSG talk to the owner of the vehicle at the centre of a bomb scare at The King David School last year. Photo: Peter Haskin.
comments