Experts warned this week that allocating two billion shekels to the state school system, which teaches all subjects required by the Education Ministry, and the same amount to ultra-Orthodox schools that receive exemptions from the state in terms of curriculum, will lead to the collapse of the state school system.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
They said that the new budget model would set a precedent where other private Israeli schools too will demand full budgets, resulting in an exodus of students from the state school system in favor of private institutions.
Haredi schools rarely teach English, math, and science, or teach them in a limited way, which is why for years, the state has tried to increase the study of these subjects in the sector in the hopes that – down the line – it will help its members integrate into the workforce.
During Coalition negotiations, however, ultra-Orthodox parties secured 1.2 billion shekels that will go to increasing the wages of teachers in the sector, but without an employer-employee relationship between them and the Education Ministry.
The move has already led to protests against the measure. Over the weekend, educators, academics, and teachers sent a letter to Education Minister Yoav Kisch, calling on him to "prevent the disaster that will befall" the state school system.
"Entire generations of children will be denied basic studies of mathematics, science, and languages, and will undermine the common moral base of values," the letter said. "We must fight with determination and persistence to place the state school system at the top of the national priority list. We ask that you make your voice heard clearly and loudly, and call on all factions and sectors to integrate into the state school system."
There was no immediate response from the education minister's office.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
