Sderot: Half of students stay at home

During visit of Education Minister Yuli Tamir in Qassam-battered town, local teachers describe difficult situation in schools, say students are terrified, suffer from anxiety. Town's mayor warns Monday: 'If Sderot falls, this will be end to Zionism'
Shmulik Hadad

The sympathy visits to Sderot continue: Education Minister Yuli Tamir visited the southern town Monday, and met with local school principals to discuss the difficulties faced by the town's education system.

The teachers told Tamir that due to the escalation in Qassam attacks on Sderot, only 50 percent of the students in town continue coming to school, while the other half fails to show up.

Escape

Sderot residents continue to leave for Eilat / Shmulik Hadad

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During the meeting, the teachers and principals said that many of the students are terrified and suffer from anxiety, and are having difficulties preparing for their exams. This mostly affects those students who are set to take their matriculation exams this year. The teachers reiterated to the minister their demand to fortify all the classes in town.

One of the principals told Tamir: "There are special problems here that stem from the sensitive situation we're in. For instance, if a child arrives to an educational facility early, he usually plays outside until classes start. Here, someone has to look after the children from the moment they get here. They cannot be left unattended." Tamir said that the Education Ministry will look into ways to assist Sderot's students.

The head of the education branch in Sderot's municipality, Miriam Sassi, said that in the meantime it has been decided not to transfer the majority of students to schools outside of town. "The situation is very problematic, we can hardly hold classes here," she said.

Tamir meets Sderot teachers (Photo: Tsafrir Abayov)

"Some of the students are in Eilat, some didn't even show up because of the rocket salvo this morning, and now many parents are arriving to take the children home," she added.

"It needs to be kept in mind that we are required to hold classes only in fortified classrooms or protected areas, and therefore when there are attacks, the students are sometimes forced to study in the hallways, several classes at a time. This certainly isn't a normal situation. These students need to take their matriculation exams," she stated.

Mayor: If Sderot falls – this will be end of Zionism

The heads of local councils from the West Bank have also visited Sderot Monday. Yesha Council Head Bentzi Lieberman, Binyamin Council Head Pinchas Wallerstein, and Amana Head Zeev Hever, told Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal that they understand the local residents' situation.

"We, who are suffering from terror attacks and a fragile security situation, are very familiar with the reality you live in. The town should be strengthened and its neglect should be opposed. Sderot must not be abandoned, and most importantly – a solution for the Qassam fire must be found," one of the settler heads said.

Moyal said that he agrees with the statements, and added: "Of course there is a solution and it should be reached, because if Sderot falls this will be the end of Zionism. Today it is Sderot, tomorrow Ashkelon and Ashdod, and later other cities."

During the meeting, Moyal spoke about the tough situation of business owners in town. The heads of the West Bank councils said that they will look into the possibility of launching a campaign to promote the purchase of goods from Sderot and in Sderot by West Bank residents. They also promised to send volunteer youth to assist in Sderot.