Community leaders meet education secretary to discuss school security funding
Jewish community leaders this week met the Secretary of State for Education to push for state funding of security around private Jewish schools.
Nicky Morgan MP expressed her support for the principle that “every Jewish pupil should feel safe” as representatives discussed the sensitive issue of extending state funding.
Currently the government meets the cost of security for state schools, but there are over 100 private Jewish schools across the country, with parents often asked to contribute.
A CST spokesman said: “We’re talking about schools outside the state sector, many of which are Charedi, so it’s an ongoing discussion that we’ll continue with whoever comes to power after the election.”
Representing Stamford Hill’s Orthodox community, Rabbi Pinter said: “We appreciate the state funding already offered, this takes a great burden off parents, and I was pleased to hear Nicky Morgan say every child should feel safe. I left very encouraged.”
An official statement said Morgan was “very receptive to the concerns of the community” after Monday’s meeting with CST boss David Delew, Board of Deputies’ chief Gillian Merron and MPs Mike Freer and David Lammy.
“This is a very delicate area, for obvious reasons,” said a source present at the talks. “This is the start of a long discussion. The next step is to provide further information to support any decision to extend funding.”
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