Children’s right to education in public schools under threat
“The right of children in East Jerusalem to free education is not being met,” according to Jerusalem-based Justice Ayala Procaccia–a claim supported by findings of a recent survey of public schools in East Jerusalem, which revealed some 9,000 East Jerusalem students are not attending school.The education department heads at the Union of Local Authorities, sampling public schools in 67 municipalities, found that public schools in East Jerusalem are administering private programmes that require parents to pay high tuition fees. It was also reported that public schools are requiring first grade students to sit entrance exams as a means of vetting the ‘better’ students.
The right of children in East Jerusalem to free education is not being met“The situation damages the legal right of children in East Jerusalem to an equal education…This is an injury to human dignity and an affront to the law,” continued Justice Ayala Procaccia.
Students from more affluent families are being sought out by ‘magnet schools’, as well as public schools which have begun to introduce specific tracks of study. Magnet schools, which operate in approximately half of Israeli towns and cities, specialise in specific study areas. The majority of students in these schools are from the upper-middle class, who comprise 85% of the magnet school body. More than 70% of these schools with special programmes are located in Jewish cities and towns, about 27% in mixed Jewish and Palestinian areas, and only 3% in Palestinian municipalities.
Although the Education Ministry has ordered that magnet schools in Tel Aviv cease entrance exams for first graders, a final decision is still pending.
A further concern for parents is the lack of classrooms in public schools. In East Jerusalem, about half of the 80,000 school-aged children are enrolled in public schools. An estimated 31,000 students attend private schools and an alarming 9,000 East Jerusalem children are not attending school at all.
Education for all children in not just a slogan. It is a right and a legal responsibilityThe number of available classrooms is insufficient to meet the growing number of students, which is compelling parents to return to the private system of schooling, accompanied by high tuition fees.
Following a petition by a rights group, a new ruling by the Israeli High Court has given the government five years to find enough classroom space for the children of East Jerusalem, or they will be forced to reimburse parents for private school tuition.
“Education for all children in not just a slogan. It is a right and a legal responsibility of states, governments, and local authorities, and the elected leaders in East Jerusalem, just the same as everywhere else”, said World Vision Regional Advocacy Manager Michael Bailey.
For many children living in a conflict-affected region like the occupied Palestinian territories, the right of access to quality education is one more right they also have to struggle for
In the meantime, 9,000 children will continue to miss out on an education, possibly for five years, if not longer. Children from a higher-income background will continue to benefit from opportunities not available to other children and entrance exams will prevent some young school children from accessing a public school education.
“For many children living in a conflict-affected region like the occupied Palestinian territories, the right of access to quality education is one more right they also have to struggle for”, added Bailey.
In the West Bank, World Vision is supporting educational opportunities and children’s access to education by rehabilitating schools and providing educational tools, stationary, computers, and lab equipment, as well as helping maintain and rehabilitate playgrounds for schools. World Vision has also established and constructed schools, kindergartens, and libraries, trained teachers, and held primary education courses. Tutoring courses, computer training courses, and supportive educational programmes for children have also been provided. World Vision continues to work with communities towards ensuring that all children receive quality education and are educated for life.
Sources:
1) “Court orders government to accommodate East Jerusalem school children” by Nir Hasson, Haaretz Daily, 08Feb11, http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/court-orders-government-to-accommodate-east-jerusalem-school-children-1.341917
2) “In public schools, equal opportunity has become a thing of the past, survey says” by Or Kashti, Haaretz Daily, 09Feb11, http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/in-public-schools-equal-opportunity-has-become-a-thing-of-the-past-survey-says-1.342115
-Ends-
The right of children in East Jerusalem to free education is not being met“The situation damages the legal right of children in East Jerusalem to an equal education…This is an injury to human dignity and an affront to the law,” continued Justice Ayala Procaccia.
Students from more affluent families are being sought out by ‘magnet schools’, as well as public schools which have begun to introduce specific tracks of study. Magnet schools, which operate in approximately half of Israeli towns and cities, specialise in specific study areas. The majority of students in these schools are from the upper-middle class, who comprise 85% of the magnet school body. More than 70% of these schools with special programmes are located in Jewish cities and towns, about 27% in mixed Jewish and Palestinian areas, and only 3% in Palestinian municipalities.
Although the Education Ministry has ordered that magnet schools in Tel Aviv cease entrance exams for first graders, a final decision is still pending.
A further concern for parents is the lack of classrooms in public schools. In East Jerusalem, about half of the 80,000 school-aged children are enrolled in public schools. An estimated 31,000 students attend private schools and an alarming 9,000 East Jerusalem children are not attending school at all.
Education for all children in not just a slogan. It is a right and a legal responsibilityThe number of available classrooms is insufficient to meet the growing number of students, which is compelling parents to return to the private system of schooling, accompanied by high tuition fees.
Following a petition by a rights group, a new ruling by the Israeli High Court has given the government five years to find enough classroom space for the children of East Jerusalem, or they will be forced to reimburse parents for private school tuition.
“Education for all children in not just a slogan. It is a right and a legal responsibility of states, governments, and local authorities, and the elected leaders in East Jerusalem, just the same as everywhere else”, said World Vision Regional Advocacy Manager Michael Bailey.
For many children living in a conflict-affected region like the occupied Palestinian territories, the right of access to quality education is one more right they also have to struggle for
In the meantime, 9,000 children will continue to miss out on an education, possibly for five years, if not longer. Children from a higher-income background will continue to benefit from opportunities not available to other children and entrance exams will prevent some young school children from accessing a public school education.
“For many children living in a conflict-affected region like the occupied Palestinian territories, the right of access to quality education is one more right they also have to struggle for”, added Bailey.
In the West Bank, World Vision is supporting educational opportunities and children’s access to education by rehabilitating schools and providing educational tools, stationary, computers, and lab equipment, as well as helping maintain and rehabilitate playgrounds for schools. World Vision has also established and constructed schools, kindergartens, and libraries, trained teachers, and held primary education courses. Tutoring courses, computer training courses, and supportive educational programmes for children have also been provided. World Vision continues to work with communities towards ensuring that all children receive quality education and are educated for life.
Sources:
1) “Court orders government to accommodate East Jerusalem school children” by Nir Hasson, Haaretz Daily, 08Feb11, http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/court-orders-government-to-accommodate-east-jerusalem-school-children-1.341917
2) “In public schools, equal opportunity has become a thing of the past, survey says” by Or Kashti, Haaretz Daily, 09Feb11, http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/in-public-schools-equal-opportunity-has-become-a-thing-of-the-past-survey-says-1.342115
-Ends-
Share