The Knesset Education Committee has decided not to approve regulations according to which the government had decided to discontinue in-school classes for grades 5-10 during the lockdown set to begin at 5 p.m. tonight.
In light of the decision, studies will take place as usual for students in these grade levels, after MK Kathrin Shitrit of the Likud was the only committee member to express opposition for the move.
The decision was made after Blue and White chairman Defense Minister Benny Gantz instructed committee chairman Ram Shefa to maintain all educational institutions open for all age levels at the given moment.
At the beginning of the meeting, Shefa said, "Last weekend the government decided to enforce a third lockdown and one of its implications is closing down the school system."
He said, "The education committee has presented a very clear position in recent months that if we reach a third lockdown the education system should remain open. I am glad that the Ministry of Education and government have understood that at least kindergartens are to be left open, but for me it is not enough and there is no reason for students in grades 5-10 to remain home for at least a month. The bottom line of this morning's meeting is clear - we are doing everything we can to get an educational response for grades 5-10."
MK Shefa said he had received threats from certain bodies warning against keeping the education system open. However, he said that children stuck at home in front of a ZOOM screen are paying too high a price, and that this was his primary consideration.