Israeli Teachers' Union Head Warns School Year Won't Open Without Policy Change

Ran Erez, chairman of the Israeli Teachers' Union, sharply criticized Education Minister Yoav Kisch and warned that if the Ministry of Education does not change its policies over the summer, the upcoming school year will not open. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Erez said the ongoing dispute over salary deductions for teachers following the cancellation of a school day due to security concerns reflects deeper systemic failures in the education system. He emphasized that despite the official cancellation, teachers continued to work from home, conducting lessons and activities, yet their pay was still docked, which he attributed to the minister's decision.

Erez accused Minister Kisch of lacking genuine cooperation with the teachers' union since taking office, stating that unlike previous ministers, Kisch is more focused on politics and headlines than on educators' concerns. He also criticized the Ministry for harming special education, inconsistent management of reforms, cutting thousands of teaching hours, and failing to address severe shortages of teachers in subjects like physics, mathematics, and English.

Additionally, Erez highlighted the risks to special education students in secondary schools due to insufficient resources and warned of rising violence in schools against both teachers and students, which he linked to a lack of enforcement and boundaries. He concluded by threatening that if no resolution is found in the coming months, the teachers' union will prevent the school year from starting.