Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
• State-religious: These schools, intended for Datim, have a full curriculum on both sec-
ular and religious subjects.
• Haredi: These schools emphasize religious subjects.
• Shas: The newest in Israel, these schools are a Mizrahi alternative in between the Haredi
and the state-religious models with an emphasis on Sephardic Orthodox teachings.
Aside from all of these systems, small, extreme Haredi groups in Jerusalem seek to avoid
even minimal contact with the state authorities by having their own schools that accept no
state funding. There are also TALI schools run by the Masorti (Conservative) religious move-
ment and state boarding schools for problem students and children from troubled homes, but
there are virtually no private schools.
Most students attend state schools, which offer a general academic curriculum with some
historically oriented religious study. The quality of these schools varies depending on the
region and the socioeconomic status of the students. In Hebrew-language schools, students
study English and Arabic as foreign languages. State-religious schools, which cater to the Da-
tim, supplement academic studies with a more intense Jewish education focusing on the Bible,
the Talmud, and Jewish law. Some private Dati yeshiva high schools offer more religious study
and stricter observance than the state-religious schools do.
The Arab schools teach in Arabic and offer a curriculum that focuses on Islam, history, and
culture. Haredi and Shas schools cater to the Haredi population and focus mainly on Jewish
religious subjects. Unlike the other systems, Haredi and Shas schools are run independently
of the Ministry of Education, but in order to receive government funding they must teach a
basic core curriculum.
Although the Ministry of Education oversees the entire country's school systems, every
municipality has its own education department overseen by the mayor and the local council,
which are responsible for such local matters as selecting principals and approving specifi c
educational programs — for example, spoken Arabic is taught at the elementary school level in
Haifa's state schools although instruction in that language starts later elsewhere. This arrange-
ment gives schools some autonomy from the ministry.
Specialty schools have increased in number, accompanying a rise in parent-funded and
nongovernmental-organization-funded education. These schools receive some state funding,
but parents have decided to supplement it. Some types of specialty schools include democratic
schools (where students choose the curriculum) and Russian-language schools. In Tel Aviv,
there are nature-oriented and performing arts schools, among others. While each school has
a specifi c district, at the secondary level it is possible for students to apply to any nearby or
specialized school.
Israeli education works on a matriculation system, and students in high school must pass
examinations (
Bagrut
) in various subjects in order to matriculate at a university. Today, 85 per-
cent of Israelis graduate from high school (although graduation is different from receiving a
matriculation certifi cate, which is required to pursue higher education). More than 42 percent
go on for further schooling.
