The “rebel” authorities do not undertake to return students 7 to 10: “We will discuss with the principals”

BGivatayim There is a response from school principals, and the municipality believes that it will be possible to implement the outline as early as Wednesday. From the neighbor Tel Aviv Jaffa It was reported last night that “a comprehensive inspection will be done with the schools tomorrow, but as of tonight the planning is indeed to open on Wednesday in accordance with the outline of the forum.” Mayor Ron Huldai wrote on his Twitter account: “We are not ready to wait any longer for the government! I have informed the principals that I will abide by each and every one of them who will decide to bring back seventh- tenth graders as early as Wednesday.

Mayor Rishon Lezion, Raz Kinstlich, refused to promise that an opening as proposed in the outline would take place. Kinstlich said he “supports school principals in choosing whether or not to open classes on Wednesday.” The mayor noted that he sent a letter to all school staff in the city on the subject.

In Sharon, too, not all the authorities are interested in committing to operating the outline this week, or at all. BHadera For example, they will only know in the next day if the managers agree to the outline, so too inRaanana There are interested in discussing the issue with the teaching staff. BRamat Hasharon An agreement was reached on an opening as presented in the outline. From the municipality Kfar Saba It was reported that “since last week there have been several talks with principals and school principals, who support the goal, to enable the outline.”

In the municipality Petah Tiqwa, Which is included among the members of the forum, clarified that although they sign the outline and support it, they do not intend to return 7th-10th graders to the school walls without the government first approving it. The municipality stressed: “It is important to note that there is currently no approval for the proposed outline. For us, this is a statement of intent conditional on the consent of the Ministry of Education and especially the Teachers’ Union. The mayor of course supports the move, but we are awaiting government approval.”

A statement from the forum last night stated that “In light of the prolonged absence of these students from schools, and the severe pedagogical, social and psychological impact on them, the mayors of the 15th Forum met today for emergency consultation on the issue, and it was decided that from Wednesday “School principals must return seventh- to tenth-grade students to school activities.”

According to the outline outlined by the mayors, students will come to school at least twice a week, four hours each day, or three times a week for three hours each day. The published outline states that “it is not necessary to teach all the subjects while staying at the school. Some of the subjects will continue to be taught from a distance.”

The forum clarified that “the manner of resuming schooling will be done at the discretion of the principal and in consultation with the municipality, and with reference to the scope of vaccinations among teaching staff, the general scope of immunization in neighborhoods from which students come, school size and number of students.” It was also stated that “it will be possible to teach in shifts. It will be possible to combine learning in the classroom and learning in outdoor spaces.”

Mayors have stressed that they will not oblige or force teaching staff to operate this outline. “The ’15th Forum ‘and its leaders are aware, recognize and cherish the concern and pain of principals and teaching staff for the education system, and that many believe it is not entitled to be a priority, as it should have been,” it read.

The teachers’ union was quick to respond shortly after presenting the outline of the forum and expressed opposition to it. “There is one employer for teaching staff in Israel and that is the Ministry of Education and only he has the authority to decide on the opening or closing of educational institutions,” it was reported.

The local government also opposed the initiative, stating that “the local government center works together with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education for the full return of the entire education system in Israel. We are law enforcement and will act only according to law and in cooperation with the government for all Israeli students.”

On the other hand, some of the professionals and teaching staff actually support the opening – and as soon as possible. Ella Sapir Gonen, principal of Shimon Ben Zvi High School in Givatayim, who supports the position of the heads of the local authorities, explains: “I am more than happy that students from all walks of life will return to school, to meetings with teachers and friends and to frontal studies.” According to her, it will take a long time to get the students back on track. “A whole year that the students are out of frame, a year of disconnection that is extremely difficult emotionally, socially and academically. The more they stay at home, the more students will be harmed by it,” she noted.

Rabbi Nitzan Berger, Rosh Yeshivat Amit Kfar Ganim in Petah Tikva, also supports returning students to the study benches. “Students in these strata have long felt ‘forget me at home,’ especially in light of the fact that everything seems to have opened up and returned to activity except for studies in these strata,” Rabbi Berger said. He added that “these are students who have experienced a few close school days since the beginning of the year and the educational shortcomings are huge for them – mentally, emotionally and socially. I believe that in the current reality it is right to allow these students to enjoy at least a few days a week.”

The one who was quick to support the outline proposed by “Forum 15” is the management of the Association of Post-Primary School Principals. Chairman Menashe Levy said that “local authorities and school principals should be allowed to manage the return of students. We are convinced that 7th-10th grade students can be returned to part-time studies without harming their health and without raising the level of morbidity in Corona.”

The “Leaders” organization, which represents principals and teachers, also welcomed the forum’s decision – and especially following the emphasis on trust and backing for school principals as decision-makers in the field.

Another initiative for a “revolt” in the government was proposed by the investor and entrepreneur Zohar Lewkowicz, who wrote on Facebook: “I closed a place in the Ramat Aviv mall for up to 30 children, and I promise them a lesson on entrepreneurship and computer science every day.” He offered others to join him and teach, but later wrote: “I received more than 2,000 messages, this madness is big on me. But let’s go wild and expand it geographically.” He offered to start a comprehensive project and asked people to volunteer to help during.