Bill demands Education Ministry focus on integrating olim in schools

MK Melchior drafts bill to obligate ministry to submit national plan on better absorption.

By RUTH EGLASH
children in school 224.8 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
children in school 224.8
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
For the first time in Israel's history, the Education Ministry will be forced to create a comprehensive program to improve the integration of immigrant children into the education system if a law drafted by MK Michael Melchior (Labor-Meimad) together with a wide spectrum of Knesset members is approved in the coming weeks. The bill, which on Tuesday passed its second and third readings in the Knesset's Education, Culture and Sports Committee, chaired by Melchior, states that the Education Ministry will have to submit a national plan on how to better absorb new immigrants into its system. In addition, the law demands that a steering committee be established that includes representatives from the Immigrant Absorption Ministry and from independent immigrant organizations to act as advisers and assist in shaping such a program. "This is first time that the rights of new immigrants are being anchored into law," Melchior said in a statement. "Today, more than ever, we are constantly hearing about the problems of Israel's education system and this is a huge barrier preventing potential immigrants from making aliya." A spokesman for the Danish-born MK told The Jerusalem Post that the Education Ministry, even if it is not inclined to draft such a program, will have no choice but to deal with the issue, which in recent years has left hundreds of immigrant children excluded from the education system. Earlier this year, the committee examined a report showing how most immigrant students, roughly 350,000 children and youth, do not complete 12 years of school and many drop out years before graduating. Figures also show that the number of immigrants who are eligible to take bagrut (high school matriculation) exams is very low compared with native-born students. Furthermore, the committee noted that immigrant youth account for roughly one-third of all police files opened against delinquent youth. "It is clear that these kids did not come here with criminal records, something is going terrible wrong in the education system for them and it needs to be dealt with," commented Melchior's spokesman. "Such an integration program will demand from the Education Ministry that attention is paid to every aspect of immigrant absorption process, starting with teachers who can speak a variety of languages and also including additional hours of study to improve performance," said Melchior, adding "I truly believe that this law will bring about a significant improvement to the situation faced today by immigrant students in Israel." Aliya organization Nefesh B'nefesh welcomed the the proposed law warmly. "The idea is great, and a basic fundamental one for successful and long lasting aliya," said Avi Silverman, the organizations Adviser for Community and Education, adding that there the problems faced by immigrant children in integrating in the education system were well-known. There are several independent initiatives that have been set up around the country to tackle the problem, but this is the first time the authorities are addressing it, Silverman noted. However, he cautioned that the success of this law would depend on the type of the program that was created. "Any program that focuses on the language/academic areas, without giving consideration for social integration, will be a half-baked program," he finished.