By Tom Brennan,
Israel teaches all its children, and teaches them well. A recent survey disclosed that 4 of the top ranked 100 colleges and universities worldwide are located in Israel. Today’s news is filled with reports of the rise of The Caliphate. According to reports they are recruiting women to join the jihad as cooks and wives for their warriors. Saudi Arabia still prohibits women from driving, awards them a second class status in any civil or religious matter and keeps them in a state of servitude. The Taliban has targeted schools for girls and any education for women for their vengeance and Sharia. In contrast, Israel guarantees an education for all children in Israel by law.
Learning has always been a significant part of Jewish life. The Scriptures require learning how to worship and serve G-d and learning Scripture is the foundation to the most fundamental form of education. From oral traditions passed on in the age of Patriarchs, to the Mosaic Covenant and the writing down of The Law, education has formed one of the most important characteristics of Israel’s identity. The rabbis and sages, the academies and discipling of those who would disciple others, all developed a monumental body of literature that is beneficial to a world overwhelmed by often irrelevant topics and surmisings from a popular media.
Israel begins the education of its children early.Recently Israel’s population was numbered at 8.9 million citizens. To guarantee that children have an equal chance to prosper, the Pupil’s Rights Law states that
“every child and adolescent in the State of Israel is entitled to education in accordance with the provisions of any law”. There is no intentional exclusion of girls, Arabs or non-Jews. This is an exception in a region where girls and women are prohibited from education by whatever sect of Islam dominates the population.
The Ministry of Education oversees the learning opportunities for a nation that has a complex and varied society. Schools are administered in four groups: state schools (where the majority of the population attends), state religious schools, Arab and Druze schools (Arabic is spoken and texts are in Arabic) and private schools (boarding and other variations). There is a system of compulsory studies for which materials are supplied by the Ministry. The Ministry is responsible for setting school curricula, education standards, supervising teachers and constructing school facilities and buildings. K-though primary grade teachers are employees of the Ministry of Education. The upper grades are hired by local authorities. Funds are supplied by the Ministry according to the size of the school population to the amount of 72% of the budget and the remainder is supplied locally.
Israel supports a program for gifted students who qualify by being in the top 3%. Enrichment programs open up possibilities for those future achievers. Children with disabilities receive assistance as well. With a board-certified disability a student is eligible for free special educational assistance from age 3 to 21. In Israel “no child is left behind”, literally.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reported I 2012 that of its 34 members Israel ranked 2nd in tertiary education achievement in a population of 25 to64, Canada placed first. For its size and population Israel does an excellent job of prioritizing education. Education is a guarantee for all children, male and female, irregardless of religious affiliation. None of her neighbors can claim anything remotely close to this.
“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Israel has been laboring to see that its people keep faith with the Biblical injunction to learn. The resiliency and ability to withstand tremendous pressures and attacks from outside has been made partly possible by a dedication to educating the children. G-d has blessed Israel with a citizenry that sees to its childrens future, we can only imitate their good example,
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