The new school year is starting on time and the school schedules include extra hours, said Education Minister Gideon Saar in a meeting with the Knesset's Education Committee. He admit that there were some issues presented by the school openings, but assured that "we are doing everything in our power that the year opens with a minimum amount of incidents and I believe that will be the case."
Saar pointed out that his ministry is confronted with a sub-par budget compared to world standards. He reported that the total annual expense per student in Israel is 25 percent lower than the average expenditures in countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD is an international organization which helps governments address the economic, social and governance challenges presented by a globalised economy.