Israel’s Ministry of Education is determined that Gaza terrorists will not be allowed to disrupt life and learning for children in the Jewish State.
The school year will start on time no matter what, said Education Minister Rabbi Shai Piron (Yesh Atid), who told local education department directors at a meeting in Ramat Gan on Wednesday the curriculum would be modified in the first two weeks to help children adapt to the current situation.
Good intentions notwithstanding, however, the plan may be difficult to carry out in some places: today (Thursday, August 21) a kindgarten was struck by a Qassam rocket in a barrage fired from Gaza.
“The school year will begin as planned, and we’re prepared for any security-related events,” Piron told the participants.
“For the first two weeks, the curriculum this year will not cover the regular subjects, but rather will include activities that will help dissipate tensions related to the situation,” he explained.
“There will be discussions relating to the events of the summer, and activities to raise awareness and demonstrate the meaning and impact of racism and incitement.
“Where there is a lack of freedom of speech, there is no freedom,” he continued. “Silencing speech leads to social chaos. Freedom of speech is not related to ‘right’ or ‘left’ or religious or secular status; it is relevant for everyone. It is our responsibility as a society to know and contend with different expressions and not to view them as a threat.
“The State of Israel cannot exist if Jews and Arabs are unable to live together; this is part of our code of ethics, it is a test of our society.”