At present, it appears the decision by the Ministry of Education to save money may lead to a strike that will prevent the start of the 2008-2009 school year.
In actuality, the decision is more complex. It deals with the Education Ministry’s refusal to fund its part of the budget for armed security guards, NIS tens of millions, and it also includes the reality that even when the funds are available, there is great difficult finding suitable candidates willing to work for the minimal salary offered the guards. The ministry also announced there would not be a budget for armed guards in any school or daycare center with less than 100 children.
According to the Union of Local Authorities, armed guards in schools are paid NIS 20.7 an hour, as compared to armed guards in shopping centers who receive NIS 26-28 an hour. Sharon Uziel, acting head of the Union of Local Authorities, accuses the national government of abandoning the school children, explaining at present, they are short hundreds of guards for the new year.
“They have already forgotten the terror attack in Merkaz HaRav. The government is abandoning the well-being of the nation’s students,” states Uziel.
Education Ministry officials in defense of the new position explain the security in the nation’s schools falls under the umbrella of the Public Security Ministry, which receives the budget for the school guards. Education Ministry officials report the funds are earmarked for school protection and complaints should be directed at the security ministry.
The National PTA announced that if a solution is not found and schools and daycare centers with less than 100 children are not protected, parents will be called upon to keep their children at home.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
However, all this is the result of this evil government!
The knesset & government buildings are fortified and guarded! And schools not!
It should be the other way around – after all, who needs this government!!!!!