Educators and Local Leaders Demand a Rescue Plan for the State Education System

Today, Wednesday, the establishment of the "Coalition for the Rescue of State Education" was announced—a broad organization of educators, heads of local authorities, policy experts, academics, school principals, parents, and students. The coalition's goal is to return state education to the center of the national agenda and make it a central issue in the upcoming election campaign and for the next government.

The establishment of the coalition comes against the backdrop of the ongoing crisis in the state education system, reflected in declining student achievement, a growing shortage of teaching staff, widening gaps between the center and the periphery, rising violence among youth, the erosion of the status of educators, and damage to public trust in the system.

Coalition members argue that for years, education has been pushed to the margins of national priorities, despite its direct impact on the future of Israeli society, the economy, social cohesion, and the state's resilience.

During the election campaign and subsequent coalition negotiations, the coalition intends to act on public, professional, and political levels to place education at the heart of discourse. This will include publishing research, holding conferences, and bringing the voices of educators, parents, and students to the forefront.

The coalition intends to present a public document of demands, requiring every party seeking public trust to present a clear worldview regarding the future of state education and commit to practical steps. Key demands include:

1. Presenting a worthy candidate for Minister of Education

2. Establishing a National Council for Education

3. Establishing a Council for State-Hebrew Education

4. Ensuring budgetary equality between all education streams

5. Long-term investment in teaching and management teams

Partners in the initiative include Rami Hod, Dr. Michal Tabibian-Mizrachi, Shirley Rimon Bracha, Dr. Ariel Levy, Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, and many others. The move was also joined by heads of local authorities, including the mayors of Givatayim, Herzliya, and Ganei Tikva, as well as several regional council heads.

Rami Hod stated: "The last government peaked years of neglect of state education. The next government must reverse this direction. We call on all parties seeking political change to commit to educational change."

Rotem Yadlin, head of the Gezer Regional Council, added: "State education is not a footnote in an election campaign; it is the infrastructure for our children's future. We expect parties to present a real budgetary plan to reduce gaps and commit to long-term stability in classrooms."

Dr. Michal Tabibian-Mizrachi concluded: "The education crisis is the result of years of neglect. We will no longer settle for slogans and will demand that every party present a practical plan and clear commitments to be included in coalition agreements."