4,000 guards' jobs at risk
Photo: Shaul Golan
Tamir. 'Misguided decision'
Photo: Yaron Brener
Local Authorities: We'll close schools without security guards
Budget cuts in Public Security Ministry threaten jobs of some 4,000 school security guards. Union of Local Authorities head threatens to close schools with no guards. Public Security Ministry, Education Ministry shirk responsibility for budget
Following a standstill in talks to cancel the Public Security Ministry's budget cuts that could lead to the dismissal of some 4,000 security guards from educational institutions next month, the Union of Local Authorities in Israel on Wednesday threatened to close schools that are left without guards.
"The government is forgetting that we are still not living in Switzerland and that there are bodies that are just waiting for the perfect opportunity to harm us," Adi Eldar, the union's chairman said. Eldar called for an urgent meeting with heads of teachers' associations Yossi Waserman and Ran Erez.
Public Security Ministry sources said the necessary budget of about NIS 140 million (about US$ 35.2 million) was actually the responsibility of the Education Ministry. The Education Ministry, on the other hand, said it was the Public Security Ministry's responsibility and that the Education Ministry did not have the resources to fund security.
In the months that have passed since the budget cuts were announced, a number of failed meetings have taken place in which the Union of Local Authorities tried to have the budget cuts cancelled.
On Wednesday, one month before the budget changes are scheduled to take effect, the Union threatened that if the required budget wasn't found, schools without security guards would be closed.
In response, the Education Ministry said, "Education Minister Yuli Tamir has been warning the Finance Ministry and the Public Security Ministry of the misguided decision to fire some 4,000 security guards from schools for some time now.
"In addition, Education Ministry Director General Shlomit Amihai sent a message to the Finance Ministry's administration at the beginning of the week also warning of the erroneous decision to neglect our children's safety due to the economic crisis.
"The Finance Ministry must at once announce that it takes back its decision. The Education Ministry will cooperate with the Union of Local Authorities against this decision."
In August the Union also threatened to close kindergartens that did not have security guards, and in the last minute an agreement was reached.
It was decided that both ministries would share the security expenses of kindergartens until the end of 2008 in a total amount of NIS 16 million (US$ 4 million).
