At a meeting of local authority officials Tuesday, Education Minister Gideon Saar appealed for help in increasing the Education Ministry's budget. "I need partners in this struggle and you, who deal directly with the public in your towns, know what the needs of the residents are. I am telling you now, months in advance, in order to prepare you: I will need your help when it comes to increasing the Ministry's budget," Saar said.

Saar also asked local authority leaders to place an emphasis on encouraging the presence and growth of youth groups as a partial solution to Israel's education problems. "Strengthening the youth groups will reduce violence, reduce the intake of alcohol among youth, and increase the values of contributing to society by youth," he added.