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Security in
schools
increased
The ACT Schools Authority has
taken steps to increase security in
ACT government schools in order to
make unauthorised entry more dif
ficult, the authority's chief education
officer, Dr Greg Hancock, said yester
day in response to recent media com
ments on vandalism.
Dr Hancock said, in a statement,
that the measures would assist the
police in a person's arrest if an of
fender gained entry.
"They are precautionary rather
than a response to any particular act
of vandalism; indeed, the current
level is lower than in recent years,"
Dr Hancock said.
He said the authority deplored the
educational and financial cost to the
community caused by vandalism and
agreed that schools should encourage
their students and local communities
to develop a sense of ownership and
commitment to their local schools,
including care of its buildings.
"The authority is currently assist
ing high schools to examine closely
the area of student/staff relationships
with the aim of enhancing students'
sense of belonging," he said.
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