Bik'a Valley Walking Day Canceled, Raising Questions; Education Ministry Responds
Translated & summarized from Panet by baba
A "Walking Day" event in Bik'a Valley, planned for October 16, was canceled due to last-minute time restrictions imposed by the Education Ministry. The Ministry stated the local council failed to coordinate the event, which replaced a school day, with the Northern Region director. The council head cited the two-hour participation limit and lack of a safe alternative route as reasons for cancellation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Bik'a Valley's "Walking Day" event was canceled just days before its October 16 date.
- The Education Ministry limited participation to two hours, deeming it insufficient by the local council.
- The local council planned the event without prior coordination with the Education Ministry's Northern Region.
- Northern Region Director Dr. Orna Simhon cited the need for prior approval for such activities.
- The local council head cited the time limit and lack of a safe route for cancellation.
A planned "Walking Day" event in the village of Bik'a Valley, scheduled for October 16, was canceled after the Education Ministry imposed time restrictions that made its full execution impossible. The event, intended to foster partnership among all village schools as part of a local educational vision developed by the local council, was called off just days before its scheduled date.
According to the Education Ministry, the local council planned the event without prior coordination with the Northern Region directorate. The ministry stated that organizing activities that replace school days requires prior approval from the regional director. The council notified school principals about the event and invited participation before securing the necessary authorization.
Just two days before the event, the Northern Region director, Dr. Orna Simhon, informed the head of the local council that local authorities cannot inform school administrations about canceling a school day and replacing it with another activity without prior approval. Exceptionally, Simhon permitted schools to participate for only two hours, either at the beginning or end of the school day, to avoid disrupting the activity.
The local council head explained that significant work had gone into the project, aiming to strengthen partnership between schools. However, he stated that the event could not be carried out within the limited two-hour timeframe, and a suitable, safe alternative route was not available, leading to the cancellation.
The Education Ministry emphasized that the decision to cancel the event was made by the local council, not the Ministry.