Barkat hails progress in East Jerusalem schools, vows to bridge education gaps

Mayor Nir Barkat hails the positive growth of schools in East Jerusalem, and vows the city will do more to “bridge educational gaps” for Jerusalem’s Palestinian population.

Barkat tells local school principals at a conference that the recent investments in local schools is leading to “unprecedented momentum” in East Jerusalem.

He says over the last year the municipality has built 79 new classrooms and the schools have been granted a NIS 1 billion loan to construct 840 additional classrooms over the next four years. According to the mayor, three new schools have been built in East Jerusalem, including a high school for the arts.”

Barkat also says that there has been a 14 percent increase in the number of students studying in the Israeli Bagrut (matriculation) program and approximately 5,500 students in East Jerusalem are currently enrolled.

“We have created an equal opportunity initiative to bridge gaps in the East Jerusalem education system, including the allocation of NIS 25 million to boost enrichment hours and promote entrepreneurial and innovative projects,” he tells East Jerusalem educators.