Israeli Government Increases Funding for Private Haredi Kindergartens Ahead of Elections

The Israeli government approved a decision to increase funding for private Haredi kindergartens, allowing them to continue receiving higher budgets despite not meeting previous reporting requirements. The move, presented by Education Minister Yoav Kisch, postpones the deadline for submitting detailed employment data of kindergarten teachers until the end of 2026, extending it significantly beyond the original August deadline. This change enables kindergarten networks to maintain elevated funding levels even if they have not fully complied with reporting obligations.

The government also exempted kindergarten networks that have submitted data for at least 85% of their teachers from budget cuts, allowing them to receive funding based on the partial data provided. Networks that fail to start reporting by the end of August 2023 or complete it by 2026 will receive funding based on a basic seniority level of 12 years, with retroactive deductions for any excess payments already made.

Critics argue this decision undermines transparency and accountability, effectively removing pressure on Haredi kindergartens to provide full and accurate data. MK Kinley Torpaz from Yesh Atid condemned the move as "a continuation of Netanyahu's political bribery to secure Haredi support after the elections," highlighting that it benefits those with higher seniority while protecting those who have not reported or have lower seniority.

According to government data, fewer than 40% of the 6,129 Haredi kindergartens have submitted complete reports, with only 2,391 kindergartens providing data so far. This lack of transparency raises concerns about public fund usage. The financial cost of implementing this policy in the upcoming school year is expected to reach tens of millions of shekels, but no official budget source has been confirmed, and the Finance Ministry has not yet expressed its position. Nonetheless, the Education Ministry insists that the Finance Ministry will be required to provide full and ongoing funding as an addition to the base budget.

This decision is part of a series of government measures favoring the Haredi sector shortly before the Knesset's term ends and the country heads into elections.