Budget Shortfalls Threaten Safety of 8,000 Students in Unrecognized Negev Villages
The new academic year has begun with approximately 8,000 students in unrecognized villages within the "Wahat al-Sahara" (Desert Oasis) Regional Council in the Negev facing severe educational conditions due to the Israeli Ministry of Education's failure to transfer allocated budgets. This funding shortfall is hindering essential renovations and the provision of basic services for 11 schools, including primary and secondary institutions.
A report by the "Citizen Rights" association revealed significant deficiencies in 10 of these 11 schools, affecting sanitation facilities, classrooms, infrastructure, and overall usability. Seven schools reportedly lack basic privacy due to missing bathroom doors, while others suffer from safety and security issues.
Parents express deep concern, with Mohammed Abu Qwaider, a father of four from the unrecognized village of Al-Zarnuq, stating, "The conditions inside the schools in the unrecognized villages affiliated with the Wahat al-Sahara Council are very bad. The Ministry of Education and the Council blame each other, and the only ones harmed are the students." He highlighted critical shortages in safety, infrastructure, and security, with some classrooms lacking adequate buildings, furniture, and educational tools, alongside insufficient water and electricity.
Abu Qwaider emphasized that parents will not accept their children studying in dangerous environments and are demanding immediate solutions, threatening protest actions if the situation is not addressed. The parents' committee is calling for an agreement with the Ministry of Education to ensure the transfer of necessary funds to the regional council.
Despite the issues, the Wahat al-Sahara Regional Council stated that the academic year opened without strikes following intensive negotiations with the Ministry of Education. The council reported a written commitment from the Ministry to provide financial support, ensuring the council does not face deficits and addressing safety deficiencies and improving educational facilities, including those in unrecognized villages.
