Ehud Olmert (archive photo)
Photo: AFP
Olmert, students sign deal on higher education’s future
According to compromise agreement reached following 37-day strike, tuition fees will be frozen for one year, a billion shekels will be returned over four years to higher education institutions; ‘State must see to it that the educational system realizes the younger generation’s potential,’ PM says
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert,
Education Minister Yuli Tamir and Finance Ministry director-general Yarom Ariav signed an agreement Sunday with Student Union representatives regarding the future of Israel’s higher
education.
Last Tuesday, following a 37-day strike, the Student Union accepted a compromise agreement according to which tuition fees will be frozen for one year, a billion shekels ($250 million) will be returned over four years to higher education institutions, and the findings of the Shochat Committee on higher education will be discussed with the students until an agreement is reached before they are presented to the government.
“We may face obstacles along the way, and this is only natural, but the important thing is that eventually we will achieve the goals that will secure the educational system’s future and move it forward,” Olmert told the Student Union representatives.
“Israel has the most gifted young people in the world, and the State must see to it that the educational system realizes the younger generation’s potential.”
National Student Union leader Itay Shonshein said, “I’m glad we reached this point after a long struggle. The agreement is good, and I believe it will be implemented.
Ronny Sofer contributed to the report
