Funds bolster school security

About 200 schools applied for the funding, but 54 schools met the Schools Security Program criteria.

Swan MHR Steve Irons welcomed funding for two schools in the electorate, including Langford Islamic College, and said it was for government, Jewish, Islamic and independent schools. ‘This delivers on our election commitment to assist schools at risk of attack, harassment or violence caused by racial or religious intolerance,’ Mr Irons said.

‘For the first time ” as committed by the Coalition prior to the election ” funding under this program can be used to employ security guards, as well as the installation of security infrastructure, such as closed-circuit television cameras, security lighting and fencing.’

Australian Islamic College executive principal Abdullah Khan said the school already had external fencing and some CCTV cameras. ‘The funding will be used to enhance the security system and lighting, including the new buildings,’ he said.

As of last Wednesday, the school was yet to hear exactly what security measures it was permitted to spend the funding on.

In applying, schools had to show they were at risk of attack, harassment or violence stemming from racial or religious intolerance and how their proposed, cost-effective project would address those risks and schools needed to show they could cover any ongoing costs as the funding is non-recurrent.