Some two thousand high school students went on strike at the
beginning of the week at Darkei Rochel Seminary in Jerusalem
based on orders from the Committee for a Permanent Solution
for the Seminary Facility due to the lack of classroom space
for the students.
Since its founding 14 years ago thousands of students have
studied at the seminary, despite the lack of suitable
facilities. Classes have been held in a building in Givat
Shaul where rental costs come to NIS 70,000 ($17,000) per
month.
Despite the difficult physical conditions the seminary has
gained renown for its spiritual, educational, scholastic and
social activities.
At an emergency meeting on Erev Rosh Chodesh the Committee
for a Permanent Solution decided to call a student strike
after no lot was found for construction while the school's
mushrooming debt to fund its rent is making operations
prohibitive.
Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Rabbi Uri Maklev and MK Rabbi Moshe
Gafni, who have accompanied the seminary from the start in
its struggle to secure decent facilities, said they would
continue working toward the allocation of a permanent
building. With such a large and quickly growing student body,
licensing difficulties and high rent costs place a strain on
day-to-day operations at the high school.
