"A natural phenomenon": Yoav Kish's version regarding the teacher shortage and commotion in the Knesset
Ahead of the school year starting September 1, the Minister of Education stated that the system is ready to open as planned and there are no concerns regarding teachers' unions. During the Knesset committee meeting, school principals protested against the minister's lack of response to their concerns and were subsequently removed from the session.
The Knesset Education Committee held a meeting this morning to discuss preparations for the start of the school year on September 1. Minister of Education Yoav Kish attended the session, asserting that the education system is fully prepared and that there is no concern regarding potential conflicts with teachers' unions.
"The system is ready and will open as planned. There is no fear of problems with the teachers' unions. Filling the shortages is ongoing, and the situation is better than at the same point last year," Kish said.
During the discussion, representatives from the "Manhigim" (Leaders) organization, which represents school principals, held up signs reading: "Get out of flight mode. Talk to the principals." The principals protested against the minister's failure to respond to their concerns for several months and the ongoing staff shortages, leading to their removal from the committee room.
MK Adi Azuz, a member of the committee, criticized the minister: "You are ignoring the public. The school year is about to open with a teacher shortage in a system that is collapsing."
Addressing the staffing issue, Kish described teacher shortages as a "natural phenomenon." He explained that with over 250,000 teaching staff in the system, it is normal for approximately 5,000 to retire each year. He added that the ministry continues to train new teachers through academic tracks and special initiatives, such as recruiting professionals from the high-tech sector.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Education reported that about 1,400 teaching positions remained unfilled. During the meeting, after MK Naama Lazimi noted that her daughter currently lacks a homeroom teacher, Kish remarked: "It is interesting that all the problems in the education system seem to belong only to opposition MKs."
Kish also addressed wage disparities, acknowledging the difficulties faced by teachers in the central region, where the cost of living is higher while salaries remain the same.
Furthermore, the Minister of Education discussed the Shapira Committee's plan for special education, which includes transitioning to a five-day school week and reducing class sizes to 18 students. The minister noted that this initiative would require a budget of 15 billion shekels.
"The education system in its current state will not be able to handle the major challenges in special education. The 2018 amendment created a trend that the system cannot withstand. We must make a change, period," Kish concluded.
