BREAKING NEWS

Parents angry over new Israeli matriculation guidelines

The National Parents Association slammed the Education Ministry's new guidelines for matriculation exams that put students in lockdown for 45 minutes before each exam begins, during which time school officials print the questionnaires which will now be sent electronically.
During those 45 minutes, according to the new guidelines, students will not be allowed access to phones but will be allowed to study for the exams.
The statement, put out by the National Parents Association on Sunday, states that they regret that there was no effort from the Education Ministry to consult and cooperate with the association and they feel that "the decision about the new guidelines is far-reaching and presents a severe harm to students during the most sensitive and stressful time for them, the matriculation period."
The association demanded that the decision be frozen and a new discussion be held that will involve parents.
The Education Ministry, in an earlier statement from last week, recognized that the solution "causes discomfort and unrest, and it is not perfect or ideal," but stated that "after examining all the other options, analyzing the risks and chances they could be implemented, we found that this decision was the right one for the time being."
The utmost priority for the ministry "is that the rights of the students to be take the matriculation exams be upheld."