A new Knesset law forbids high-school dropouts - and obligates the State to pay for 12 years of schooling.
MK Michael Melchior (Labor), the Chairman of the Knesset Education Committee, says the new law he co-sponsored is an "educational revolution." It places new obligations on both the government and on students: The State must pay for 12 years of education for every citizen, instead of the 10 years it currently subsidizes, and students are required to remain in school through the 12th grade. The latter clause is not expected to be enforced, however.
The law, passed Tuesday evening by the Knesset, was co-sponsored by MKs Ronit Tirosh (Kadima), Menachem Ben-Sasson (Kadima) and Zevulun Orlev (NRP). It was passed over the strong objections of Education Minister Yuli Tamir (Labor), who says the cost, 770 million shekels each year, is prohibitive, and that the law will simply not be enforceable. At present, the State pays 78% of compulsory education costs.
Co-sponsor MK Tirosh told Arutz-7's Hebrew newsmagazine that the costs will be partially covered by savings in National Insurance and welfare institute payments. "And we will save even more if we can save students from dropping into a life of crime and having them join the work force," Tirosh said.
5.4% Jewish Dropout Rate, Higher in the Arab Sector
MK Orlev said the new law will save some 40,000 students from low socio-economic backgrounds from dropping out of school after 10th grade each year. Education Ministry stats indicate that the numbers are somewhat lower. After the 2004-5 school year, 5.4% of high school students, or 23,800 in total, dropped out of school, mostly after 10th grade. The average is brought up by the non-Jewish sectors. The drop-out rate in the Jewish sector was 4.7%, while in the Arab sector it was 8.3% and 9.8% among the Bedouin.
The implications of the new law are that every Israeli citizen must study in school through 12th grade, and schools will not be able to expel students unless an appropriate alternative framework is found. The law will apply this coming school year in part; 11th graders who thought they could leave school may not, and in 2008-9, all 12th graders must attend.
"This is a revolutionary change," Melchior said after the bill was passed, "which places Israel in the top row of properly-run countries in this area. The law expresses the country's commitment to tens of thousands of students who, without compulsory education, find themselves out of the system, with all the accompanying negative social and economic ramifications. It is especially significant for the lower classes, the residents of the periphery, new immigrants, and the Arabs of Israel. Now, if a school wishes to expel a student, it will have to find him or her an appropriate educational framework."
Those Who Wish to Drop Out
MK Ben-Sasson, Chairman of the Knesset Law Committee and a co-sponsor of the law, was asked about 11th graders who prefer to go to work, study in a yeshiva, or graze sheep on a hilltop. "After all, not everyone is suitable for strict frameworks; does this law not harm their rights?" Arutz-7 asked.
"The law was legislated for the majority" Ben-Sasson responded, "and those you mentioned will all come under this law and will be bound by it. There is of course room for exceptions, just as today hareidi-religious children who study in heider or unrecognized schools are not considered to be playing hooky. Those who wish to be exempted will have to speak to the local Regular Education Officer, and will receive an exemption if it is found to be justified."
A spokesperson for MK Melchior said that there is no intention at present to enforce the law on students, but rather on schools. "The goal is to prevent schools from dropping students," she said. "We would like to be able to have truant officers for 11th and 12th graders, just like there are for 10th graders and below, but that would have raised the price of the bill even higher than it is. Therefore, in order to pass the bill, we ceded this requirement for now."