Education Ministry warns 5,400 teachers in danger of losing jobs
Local authorities, teachers associations gearing up to fight expected budget cuts. 'This struggle will determine whether there is hope or whether we are giving up on our future,' says Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar
In what appears to be just the beginning of a far-reaching campaign for the education budget in the face of the Treasury's new demands, local municipalities are leading the charge.
On Sunday the Finance Ministry said that the state budget would have to be cut by NIS 14 billion (approx. USD 3.3 billion).
"The education system is dying and the Israeli government is confirming the kill," chairman of the Union of Local Authorities in Israel (ULAI), Shlomo Buhbut, said on Monday as education officials rally to defend their budget from the across-the-board measures.
The Knesset will debate the proposed NIS 750 million (approx. USD 180 million) cut to the Education Ministry's budget. The ministry's budget department said the figure currently being discussed would lead to the dismissal of thousands of teachers.
The cut translates to the reduction of 107,000 teaching hours, meaning 5,400 teachers are in danger of losing their jobs.
"This is a critical time," said Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who voted against the Treasury's proposed budget cuts at Sunday's cabinet meeting. "The decisions that will be made over the coming days in the fight for the state budget will determine whether there is hope or whether we are giving up on our future."
The ULAI began its campaign in late April, warning that the budget cuts would not only lead to the dismissal of teachers – but also psychologists, secretaries and janitors.
