The Education Ministry assumed a stricter policy than the
Justice Ministry and the Attorney General on the issue of
requiring the chareidi education system to abide by the Core
Curriculum Program, according to statements issued at a
Knesset Education Committee meeting convened by Committee
Chairman MK Ilan Shalgi (Shinui).
Based on the Attorney General's position, the Justice
Ministry's Attorney Amnon De Hartoch said there should be a
direct correlation between the level of implementation of the
Core Program and funding for every school. Therefore each
school will receive funding in accordance with its compliance
with Core Program requirements. A school that implements 100
percent of the Core Program will receive 100 percent of its
funding, a school that implements 90 percent of the Core
Program will receive 90 percent of its funding, a school that
implements 70 percent will receive 70 percent of funding, and
so on, down to 55 percent. A school that implements 40
percent of the Core Program will still receive a minimum 55
percent of funding.
According to the Education Ministry however, a school that
implements less than 100 percent of the requirements will
receive only 75 percent funding and a school that implements
less than 75 percent of the Core Program will not receive any
funding.
At the fiery Education Committee meeting, Rabbi MK Moshe
Gafni accused MK Shalgi of bringing the committee to
pointless discussions again and again while ignoring his real
obligation to address the issues and problems that genuinely
trouble the chareidi education system.
The Education Minister reiterated her assertion that all
sectors must implement the Core Curriculum Program, including
the chareidi sector, stressing that the change should be
spread over a period of several years.
Rabbi Avrohom Yosef Lazerson, one of the heads of Chinuch
Atzmai, said Chinuch Atzmai is subject to the decisions of
gedolei Yisroel alone, who will remain responsible for
delineating the curriculum studied in the chareidi education
system. Upon hearing this statement MK Shalgi interrupted
Rabbi Lazerson, not allowing him to continue. At that point
Rabbi Lazerson stormed out of the committee meeting room
saying the Committee Chairman is incapable of hearing remarks
he finds displeasing.
