Schools are expected to remain in a remote-learning framework for as long as necessary to ensure the safety of students, and even as parents return to work, Education Minister Yoav Kisch told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.
Kisch explained that he was preparing for the possibility that the war could last weeks and that he would not compromise on student safety during that time.
“I hear [US President Donald] Trump speaking about it, and it’s clearly a complex war. In any case, I am preparing for the possibility that it could last several weeks,” the education minister told the Post.
Schools throughout the country have continued to operate in a remote-learning format, despite the Home Front Command allowing employees to return to their workplaces in person on Thursday.
The move has sparked outrage from parents across the country and opposition lawmakers, who claim the government failed to provide an adequate solution for working parents.
Addressing the return of parents to work, Kisch told the Post that“the education system is extremely complex. Of course, it’s very important for the economy [to reopen workplaces], but my main consideration is the safety of the children, not whether parents can go back to work.”
Education Ministry not involved with Home Front Command's decisions
“We are not involved in the Home Front Command’s decisions regarding workplace policy, so I’m not familiar with all their considerations,” he added.
“What I can say about the education system is that until Monday evening, aside from the exceptions, it’s not appropriate to reopen schools on a large scale.
"I hope the situation improves and the threat level decreases so that we can move to learning near protected spaces."
Kisch also noted that, regarding daycares and kindergarten, where kids are younger and especially require parents' supervision at home, the situation was even more complicated to return them to their learning frameworks.
“Daycares are even more complicated, because even if there is shelter, moving toddlers into a protected space during a siren is very difficult and takes time,” Kisch remarked.
“That creates a major challenge. I’m not saying that bringing a kindergarten class into a shelter isn’t complicated, but at least those children are more mobile, so it’s somewhat easier.”
Kisch divided the return of schools to in-person learning into two factors: firstly, geographical location, and then pedagogical considerations.
The remote framework has not been set for the entire duration of the war, but is rather reassessed based on the security situation and these two factors.
“Geographically, for example, places that are not at high risk, like Mitzpe Ramon, those are places where we might allow physical learning later in the week."
“The second direction is based on pedagogical criteria. For example, today we announced that at-risk youth will return to physical learning, of course, subject to having proper shelter access. In other words, where there are at-risk youth, we think it’s better for them to return to their boarding frameworks rather than be outside without structure, so they can learn within the education system while staying close to protective spaces if necessary.”
When asked about halting studies now during the war and having them instead extend into the summer vacation, Kisch said this was currently not the plan.
“That kind of decision requires agreements with teachers’ unions and the Finance Ministry,” Kisch explained.
“If we see that we won’t be able to hold physical learning this week either, then we may begin discussing possible agreements with the teachers’ organizations. But since we are still at the beginning of this situation, we are currently trying to maximize learning under the existing conditions,” he added.
When asked about students who may lack access to remote learning, the education minister responded that most students are able to use mobile phones to access online learning.
Regarding the joint US-Israel operation against Iran, Kisch said that he had spent much time in the field, meeting teams and local authorities.
“The entire people of Israel are united in the understanding that this is a war of necessity,” he explained.
“We cannot allow Iran to continue trying to destroy Israel, and what they call the ‘Great Satan,’ the United States.”
“We have an incredible partnership with the United States. Our army is fully focused on the mission, and we will support them from the home front. We will stay strong and do everything necessary to win,” Kisch said.