Two and a half million Israeli children began school Friday morning following two months of summer vacation during which intense negotiations took place to avert a planned strike by the Secondary School Teachers' Association during the opening of the school year.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The strike was called off last minute after the association, which represents high school teachers, reached an agreement with the Education and Finance ministries on Thursday evening.
Video: Israel kicks off 2023-2024 school year / Credit: Yoni Rikner
Under the agreement, the educators' salaries will be upped by 2,000 shekels ($525) with an extra 1.35% into a special pension fund. The raises, however, will be distributed gradually over the next four years, with an initial increase of NIS 800 ($210).
Teachers will also add one hour of classroom lecturing a week, a move officials hope will help tackle the dire shortage of educational staff. According to estimates, Israel is short of several thousand teachers, impacting the standard of education.
The agreement also prevents teachers from going on a strike over salary disputes for at least six and a half years.
"School is on tomorrow, high schoolers," Education Minister Yoav Kisch, the main driving force behind the negotiations, said in celebration.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Almog Elementary School in Ma'ale Adumim in honor of the first school day.
"Each and every one of you is special and equal to the other," he told a class of first-graders. "Look at each other, be friends of one another, and be kind to one another. Study well and listen to your teachers."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
