THERE are now more armed guards and CCTV cameras in Australian schools than ever before amid growing security and terror-related concerns.
While there are no armed guards in government schools, it’s a different story for a string of Jewish and Islamic schools across Victoria and New South Wales.
In Sydney, armed guards have patrolled some independent schools and institutions for decades, with more following suit over the past year.
Emanuel School in Randwick is among several Sydney Jewish colleges known to have had armed guards.
But none of those contacted by news.com.au were willing to comment on the matter.
NSW Jewish Board of deputies chief executive Vic Alhadeff said “as a matter of policy, we are unable to discuss security issues”.
“Our policies and procedures on such matters are implemented on the advice of the authorities,” Mr Alhadeff said.
Victoria’s largest Jewish school was last year the first in the state to employ armed guards.
It now has guards with guns stationed at Mount Scopus Memorial College’s three Melbourne campuses. The co-ed school, which runs from kindergarten to year 12, accommodates some 1500 students. The principal was unavailable for comment.
Read the full article by Megan Palin at news.com.au.