Arad: accused of neglecting educational obligations
Photo: GPO
Kindergarten segregation in Arad
Five Ethiopian families sue authorities for expelling their children from pre-school for racist reasons
ARAD - Five Ethiopian families have demanded NIS 400,000 compensation from the Arad municipality and Education Ministry, after claiming their children were told leave kindergarten because they were Ethiopian.
Three of the parents claim their children have not attended pre-school for nearly six months, after teachers said there were “too many Ethiopians in the kindergartens.”
Two additional families joined the suit, after their children were only allowed to return to kindergarten after extensive pressure.
Harsh Allegations
“The plaintiffs behavior reflects a harsh reality of racism and discrimination, embedded in the educational system towards the Ethiopian communities,” the claim reads. “The court has to force the Education Ministry and the Arad municipality to pay proper compensation. The compensation should function to deter and educate the general public and make it aware of the severity of racist discrimination.”
Spokesperson for the Education Ministry’s southern district Aviv Klein told Ynet that the parents’ claims are just.
“The head of the southern district demanded the children be placed in kindergartens of their request,” he said.
He added that the superintendent also spoke to Internal Ministry officials and accused the Arad municipality of neglecting its educational obligations.
"In any event, the ministry condemns any revelation of racism. Regarding the legal charges, the claim has not yet arrived in our hands, and we will react to it after examining it,” he said.
An Arad municipality official said he was reluctant to respond, as he has not yet received the claim.
