As part of its efforts to minimize the damage to the
education of thousands of children in its schools following
the discontinuation of government-funded bus service, Chinuch
Atzmai took out bank loans to resume the busing system until
the Pesach break.
Rabbi Avrohom Yosef Lazerson, one of the heads of Chinuch
Atzmai, said the move followed desperate calls for help from
principals in dozens of cities and remote communities who
warned against the possibility of grave repercussions, namely
students transferring to other schools.
The loans could only be secured after several supporters from
the US responded to personal requests by gedolei
Yisroel to pledge to pay back the bank loans if the talks
aimed at restoring government funding prove unfruitful.
Feverish activity continues on all fronts under the guidance
of gedolei Yisroel shlita, who are deeply concerned
for the future of nearly 20,000 yaldei Yisroel who
ride the buses to Chinuch Atzmai schools every day.
Rabbi Lazerson expressed cautious hope that the touching,
personal requests from principals, educators and parents to
government officials as well as the many efforts made at
different levels — including meetings with government
officials at the Education Minister's Office and intervention
by UTJ MKs — would eventually put an end to the
crisis.
