Israeli Government Plans Major Budget Increase for Haredi Kindergartens Despite Missing Data

The Israeli government is moving forward with plans to increase the annual budget for Haredi kindergarten networks by tens of millions of shekels, even though these networks have failed to provide required information about their employed teachers. This lack of data submission violates a previous government decision. Last year, the government decided to boost funding by increasing the seniority calculation for kindergarten teachers but imposed a condition that the networks must submit detailed information about all their teachers by the start of the next school year in September. Failure to comply would require the networks to return the funds retroactively.

So far, only 5% of kindergarten owners have submitted data covering just 15% of their teachers, meaning the money should be returned to the state treasury. This situation has caused significant frustration among the Haredi public and political parties. In response, Education Minister Yoav Kisch's office plans to present a proposal to the government in the coming days to postpone the repayment deadline by at least one year and extend the funding period despite the incomplete data.

This move comes amid broader tensions regarding funding for Haredi education, including concerns about budget approvals bypassing the Knesset and the financial impact of childcare legislation on the economy.