ness31 wrote:No. Americans are trying to protect the illusion of a bygone era, where gates were left open and schools were a respected “safe space” . They thought they could cheat; not put in the hard work of building a good society and just plonk an armed guard at a school gate.
What a tragedy.
One that possibly didn't even exist, really.
Are schools so easily accessible for anyone Down Under? Or they are actually closed to strangers?
I don't know, I just don't think it would be so easy to enter a school in Europe, at least Continental Europe. Maybe it's an Anglo thing?
Crantag wrote:Basically, yes they can.
I don't know how it is in big cities in the US.
Other countries I've stayed in (and I was in the city) had gates in front of the schools, and people couldn't just walk in, but in the US, you pretty much can, at least in the small towns I know.
I think some schools might (maybe as a recent thing) have a button you have to push and they buzz you in, but from what I've seen, you can basically waltz in at most places.
I'm from South America and where I come from even the poorest schools or those in the most remote rural districts will be closed to strangers, public or not.
The other day I actually walked past by an elementary school a block or so away from where I live, in Chicago, and I saw a sign in the back entrance that read "Please do not enter school grounds if you don't have any business here. Keep our children safe". The very short gate (clearly meant so kids won't get out) was half-open, although it was on a weekend so I didn't see anyone inside.
I was like: