A special Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee hearing on Tuesday, prompted by a Walla report, exposed a sharp gap in school meal support for at-risk youth. While about 17,000 students in Education Ministry vocational schools receive a regular nutrition program, thousands of teenagers studying in Labor Ministry vocational schools still get no hot lunch.
According to figures presented at the hearing, the Labor Ministry runs 63 vocational schools with about 10,600 students. Only about 3,300 receive a daily hot meal, mainly in schools near boarding facilities or factories with a dining hall. Roughly 7,000 students are not entitled to any hot meal during the school day.
Dr. Vered Azoulai, principal of the Yotzer Atid high school in Palmachim, told lawmakers her 220 students, many of whom arrive by court order or from boarding schools, come to school hungry. She said her budget allows only two hot lunches a week, but on those days attendance reaches 100 percent, compared with 40 to 50 percent on other days. “How can you even talk to them about studies and the future when they have no food?” she asked.
Yequetyel Meshi of the 121 Association said the campaign began five years ago after principals warned that students were coming to class hungry, dropping out, and even working to buy food. He said the breakfast and lunch program was approved after four years of lobbying and has been running in all Education Ministry vocational schools since last year, at a cost of 50 to 60 million shekels annually, serving about 17,000 children. He cited a survey showing a 60 percent improvement in the learning atmosphere and a 36 percent rise in grades after six months.
Education and child welfare groups said meals are part of a child’s right to education, while government officials acknowledged the need to expand the program. Labor Ministry official Andrey Zeisler said the ministry is working on a solution for all schools, but gave no timetable, estimating an additional 27 million shekels would be needed on top of the 5 million already spent. Treasury representative Rom Bar-Av said school funding for vulnerable youth is under review. Committee chair MK Michal Waldiger called the situation “an absurdity” and gave ministries three weeks to return with a detailed update and a commitment date for expansion.
