The Education Ministry, local municipalities and teachers unions expressed strong opposition Monday to a proposed cut to the education budget. The cut could mean that more than 5,000 teachers lose their jobs at a time when schools are already understaffed, they warned.
The Finance Ministry announced Sunday that the national budget will be cut by NIS 14 billion. As part of the cut, the Education Ministry could lose NIS 750 million. The proposed cut still faces a Knesset vote.
Education Minister Gidon Saar expressed opposition to the cuts. Such a serious reduction in the education budget would put the future of Israeli society at stake, in his view.
Saar also mentioned the economic impact of firing thousands of teachers. “At a time when unemployment is growing from day to day, we need to close the gaps, not to fire thousands of people whose work is vital,” he said.
Local authorities plan to hold an urgent meeting later this week to discuss the proposed cuts and the steps they plan to take in protest. Some have proposed a total strike.
"The school system is dying, and the government is destroying it and confirming the kill,” regional council head Shlomo Bohbut said. “We all agree that promoting education is our primary national priority, so I'm shocked at the government's irresponsibility in destroying education instead of promoting it.”