Metula Reopens Historic HaNadiv Elementary School After Three Years and Anti-Tank Missile Damage

After nearly three years since the outbreak of war and a prolonged evacuation, the northern Israeli community of Metula is preparing to reopen its historic HaNadiv Elementary School ahead of the upcoming academic year. The school, a 122-year-old educational cornerstone of the town, suffered severe damage from a direct hit by an anti-tank missile during the conflict. Prior to the war, new buildings had just been completed at the school, which now has undergone extensive renovations to restore it for student use.

Since residents began returning to Metula, local children have been attending school in the neighboring community of Kfar Giladi due to the low number of students preventing HaNadiv’s operation. The school will reopen initially with grades one through five in a phased approach. The local council has decided to implement the "Whole Education" model, emphasizing emotional and social support alongside formal studies, recognizing the trauma children endured during displacement.

The school principal, Ida Singer, highlighted the need to provide stability and renewed trust for children who experienced evacuation and a challenging return to normal life. Metula’s mayor, David Azulai, described the reopening as a symbol of the town’s recovery and growth, calling on educators nationwide to join this "national and Zionist mission" to rebuild the community’s future. Metula is also marking its 130th anniversary this year, underscoring the reopening’s significance as a milestone in the town’s resilience and renewal.