Peres to 1st graders: There's no war, you can study quietly
1,887,969 students begin new school year; Sa'ar says was concerned Education Ministry's dire financial situation would lead to strikes. President in east Jerusalem: Construction should be permitted for both Jews, Arabs
"There is no war, so you can study quietly," President Shimon Peres told first graders at the technological school in Jerusalem's Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood on Tuesday, which saw 1,887,969 students begin the new school year.
"Study hard and listen to your teachers," said Peres, who was accompanied by Mayor Nir Barkat.
Peres continued his tour at the all-girls Al-Mamunya High School in east Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, where he said, "The relations between Israel and Jordan have never been better."
"I hope you will all be mothers of peace. If mothers are educated, then their children will be as well. We want the entire country to be educated, regardless of race, creed or gender," Peres said.
Asked by one of the students about the controversy surrounding the Jewish construction in east Jerusalem, said the president, "Both Jews and Arabs should be permitted to build according to their needs.
Another girl complained of the difficulties involved in passing security checkpoints on her way to school. Mayor Barkat said in response, "It must be understood that the (West Bank security) barrier is aimed at protecting lives. When the security situation improves, we won’t want to see the wall. We all know it makes life difficult."
The Education Ministry's situation room received reports of delays in the opening of several schools throughout the country. In Lod, parents refused to send their children to six Arab schools due to what they said were infrastructure problems at the institutions, while the principal of an elementary school in Yahud did not open its gates because it has yet to receive a safety permit after undergoing renovation over the summer.
The education crisis involving students of Ethiopian descent in Petah Tikva was resolved Monday evening. During a meeting held at Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar's office it was decided that three religious private schools would take in 108 students of Ethiopian decent in the coming year.
Thirty of the children will begin studying in the three institutions on Tuesday, when the school year begins, and 18 others will be admitted in the coming weeks, immediately after arriving in the city.
The 60 additional Ethiopian students, who are expected to arrive in the city throughout the school year, will be admitted to the private schools and not to state religious institutions, in accordance with the Education Ministry's decision.
Sa'ar said he considered the fact that the school year opened on schedule and without any major strikes an achievement for his office.
"The ministry's financial situation is dire, and I was concerned that it would affect the opening of the school year," he said, "But everyone realizes that strikes contribute nothing. This year we are adding more school hours; this is something that should not be taken for granted."
