It is a sad thing that the open, welcoming environments- once a feature of school precinct’s – have been a consigned to history because of safety and security concerns.

Schools started with outer perimeters marked at most by knee or waist-high fencing often no more than a railing stretched between vertical uprights. Now for most schools, fencing has been upgraded to become a gtwo-metre-high solid and impenetrable barrier.

A sad thing for schools is the need for this fortress-like mentality. Students and staff members shouldn’t be confronted with teaching and learning environments surrounded by high fences. They should not have to go through gates that open in the morning, are locked at night and require pass keys at other times.

It saddens me to drive past my old schools and indeed all others, enclosed because of necessity by forbidding perimeter fencing

Published aas a letter tpo the editor in NT News