Education Ministry says all students to return to classroom when schools reopen

Israeli students going to school in Tel Aviv, on April 18, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
Israeli students going to school in Tel Aviv, on April 18, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

The Education Ministry rolls out its plan for the upcoming school year amid a renewed rise in COVID cases, saying all students in preschool through 12th grade will return to the classroom for in-person learning.

According to a ministry statement, schools will reopen in all communities — regardless of ranking on the Health Ministry’s “traffic light” system for measuring the severity of coronavirus outbreaks — though preventive measures will be taken in localities with high morbidity.

“Closing an educational institution will only be implemented when there is a dramatic increase in morbidity rates in that institution, in a joint decision of the regional director and the health department,” the statement says.

The ministry adds that principals will be authorized to take steps to shrink class sizes or move to some remote learning at their own discretion.

It also says that virus testing at schools will largely be focused on communities with the highest infection rates.

In a press briefing, Health Ministry Directo -General Nachman Ash is asked about the Education Ministry’s plan and says the two ministries are working together.

“There are still a few points that are not yet closed that we need to clarify,” he says.

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