Israel's Schools Reopen With 2.6 Million Students Returning to Classrooms

Some 2.6 million Israeli children returned to kindergartens and schools on Monday, marking the start of the academic year after the summer break. This year's opening is proceeding without threats of sanctions or strikes from teachers' unions. Among the returning students, 180,000 are entering first grade, embarking on their 12-year educational journey, while 143,000 are beginning their final year in 12th grade.

According to the Ministry of Education, approximately 16% of all students, totaling 418,385, are eligible for special education services, an increase of 9% from the previous year. The education system comprises 27,757 institutions, including 21,800 kindergartens and 5,957 schools. The first week of school will focus on fostering a sense of belonging, strengthening social connections, and building trust between students and staff, alongside emotional and social dialogue to identify needs and build resilience.

For children from communities near the Gaza border, the return to school signifies a step towards normalcy after nearly three years of displacement. Students like Galia from Nirim, Uri from Holit, and Alma from Kissufim are starting first grade in their home communities, a significant milestone after being evacuated following the October 7th attacks. These families are navigating the emotional challenges of returning home, with children expressing both excitement for learning and lingering anxieties about security.

In the northern town of Metula, the "Handiv" school, celebrating its 130th anniversary, reopened its doors after being closed since October 2023 due to ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The school, which sustained damage, welcomed 36 students for the new year. For some students, like Alma from Metula, this marks the third new school in three years due to displacement. Efforts to attract teachers to the northern region include financial incentives of 60,000 shekels.

The Ministry of Education and local authorities have emphasized the importance of reopening schools as a symbol of resilience and victory. The head of the Metula local council described the opening of educational institutions as the "real victory" after a long and complex period.