Netanyahu tells first-graders to ‘be kind,’ as 2.5 million students return to class
School year begins with politicians calling for unity amid political tensions, lack of teachers and a narrowly avoided strike
The 2023-2024 school year began on Friday throughout Israel as 2.5 million students made their way back to their classrooms amidst understaffing, high political tensions and a narrowly avoided teacher’s strike.
Politicians regularly visit schools in Israel in honor of the first day, with many calling to heal the sharp political divide that has split the country and been exacerbated by the government’s contentious judicial overhaul.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Almog Elementary School in Ma’ale Adumim alongside Education Minister Yoav Kisch, Mayor Benny Kashriel and Yaffa Ben David, the Secretary-General of the Israel Teachers Union.
“Each and every one of you is special and equal to the other,” Netanyahu told a first-grade classroom. “Look at each other, be friends of one another, and be kind to one another. Study well and listen to your teachers.”
Children in the class received rubber bracelets that called against “Cherem,” the Hebrew word referring to shunning and ostracization as a form of bullying. “When will this be passed on to adults?” Netanyahu said.
National Unity party leader Benny Gantz visited an elementary school in Moshav Naham near Beit Shemesh with fellow party member Chili Tropper and met with school staff, also highlighting the fissures in Israeli society.
“This past year has demonstrated the necessity to teach our children to see that which unifies us, to know the other, accept them, and remember that we are all one people,” Gantz said.
President Isaac Herzog also visited a school in Yokne’am with his wife Michal. Upon being asked by a first-grader what he wishes for the upcoming year, the president said: “I wish for our country to stay united, safe, with a strong and stable democracy, and that we will get to know each other so we know that we all live here together.”
The first day of school traditionally starts each year on September 1b(the ultra-Orthodox school year began two weeks ago on the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul). The day is usually dedicated to ceremonies and presenting students with their schedule for the upcoming year.
This year, 181,000 students will begin first grade.
“I’m excited and wish for myself that I’ll be a good student who’ll succeed in his studies,” first-grader Guy Tzarfati from Rishon LeZion told the Ynet news site, adding that his dream is to be like soccer player Lionel Messi.
“I woke up early this morning and was pretty excited,” second-grader Natalie told Ynet. “My tip for incoming first-graders: Just be happy, that’s all you need.”
The key challenge the education system faces entering this school year is an inadequate number of teachers with high schools saying they are 20 percent understaffed and elementary schools reportedly in need of another 3,000 teachers.
Although official numbers are not available, figures cited by various sources indicated that the manpower crisis in the education system remains acute and will have a serious impact on educational standards.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch told the N12 news site that this lack is a product of the “diversity in Israeli society that requires lower teacher-student ratios,” adding that the ultra-Orthodox and Arab school systems are currently overstaffed with teachers.
On Thursday, Kisch announced that a high school teacher’s strike was called off after agreements between the finance ministry and the high school teachers’ union were made.
Under the deal, teachers will receive raises totaling NIS 2,000 ($525) a month, as well as an extra 1.35 percent into a special pension fund. The raises will be distributed gradually over the next four years, with teachers initially receiving only an extra NIS 800 ($210) monthly.
Last week, the Education Ministry introduced a program to facilitate school discussions and lessons on the increasing polarization in Israel brought on by the coalition’s judicial overhaul legislation.
The program, called “Education by all accounts,” aims to provide resources to teachers of kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools to deal with the ongoing crisis and hold constructive dialogue on the issues, the Education Ministry said in a statement.
