Two weeks ago, student Roni Yihye was killed in the school's parking lot after suffering a direct hit by a Kassam.
By EHUD ZION WALDOKSKassam medics 224.88(photo credit: Channel 2)
Sapir Academic College demanded of Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On on Monday additional funds to enable them to survive the Kassams and their effects. Two weeks ago, student Roni Yihye was killed in the school's parking lot after suffering a direct hit by a Kassam.
"We asked Bar-On for money for several things: to fortify all of our buildings, to put in small shelters in open places, to continue to build and expand the school, for salaries and student grants," Sapir spokesman Simon Tamir told The Jerusalem Post.
"Because of the Kassams falling all the time and the precarious security situation, we're afraid enrollment will drop. It's like the Hebrew University of Jerusalem when people were afraid to take buses. We're afraid no one wants to come here to study while the situation is so bad," he explained.
Bar-On held a Finance Ministry meeting at Sapir as a solidarity gesture.
Tamir said that the small shelters were especially important because most people who were killed or wounded by Kassams were hit in open areas and not while inside buildings.
The Council of Higher Education already provides funding in the same way it funds other universities and colleges.
Sapir has asked the council to approve a law school and two additional masters tracks, Tamir said. He said they asked them not to hold up the approval process, especially in light of the security situation.
Sapir is the biggest single employer in the western Negev, with over 1,000 salaried employees. In addition, 3,000 of its 8,000 students rent apartments in the area, providing more impetus to the local economy.
"It would be a grave blow to the area if Sapir were to fail," Tamir concluded.
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store
