MK Moshe Gafni
Photo: Tzvika Tischler
Legislation committee awards more funds to haredi schools
United Torah Judaism bill demands local authorities allot funds, school buildings to haredi education
The Ministerial Committee on Legislation approved a bill by MK Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) demanding additional funding for ultra-Orthodox schools.
Gafni, who serves as chairman of the Knesset's Finance Committee, proposed a bill allotting additional funds to private schools belonging to United Torah Judaism and Shas. The funds will be extracted from the local authorities, according to the bill.
The new bill also awards the ultra-Orthodox institutions funding for 100% of school hours, whereas they currently receive funding for only 75%. Gafni claims the bill reinstates the status quo from a number of years ago.
Gafni's bill also requires local authorities to set aside the same number of buildings used by regular schools to be used as ultra-Orthodox schools.
The MK claims the bill must be passed by the Knesset before its summer recess, otherwise ultra-Orthodox schools will not be able to open next year.
