Rabbi Chaim Biton runs the Shas-affiliated Mayan Chinuch Bnei Yosef educational network, which services 40,000 students nationwide. He explains that the overwhelming number of the network’s schools do teach ‘core subjects’; including math, English and science.

Speaking with Mordechai Lavi of Kol Chai Radio on Tuesday morning 19 Tammuz, Biton explained the matter is more complicated that it might appear to many. He feels it is less a matter of teaching the children math or English and more an issue of permitting the state to dictate what will be taught in chareidi schools.

Biton told Kol Chai “The point is ‘Mr. Piron’ took Tali (Jewish studies) away from chareidi schools explaining the chareidim do not need it. However, the real reason is too take more hours away – the issue is control, not the subjects in my opinion”. Biton feels that Piron’s real reason for taking away the Tali hours was to take funding from the yeshivos and assert additional control. This he stresses was the real reason behind the former Education Minister’s decisions to act as he did. Biton adds that recognized schools that are not officially part of the state system receive less than 50% of their funding from the Ministry and they reject ministry efforts to control their schools.

The control matter aside, Biton feels to deprive the chareidi children of secular subjects will result in ignorance this too should be addressed. He feels on the other hand, a parent has the right to send a child to any school s/he wishes and therefore, if one wishes a child to learn math and other subjects, one sends the child to the appropriate school.

Kol Chai:

With all due respect, perhaps parents do not have the right to prohibit children from getting an education to permit them to earn a likelihood.

Biton:

I did not learn English but B”H I have managed and doing okay. At the age of 30, I decided I cannot remain in kollel and the state has programs and I learned English and other subjects. I am almost fluent today and enjoy learning English.

Truth is I began my interest in English in elementary school, looking for anything in English to read.

Today anyone who touches a computer must know a minimum of English for one will see a popup alert from the computer and if one cannot read it, one cannot know how to proceed.

For as long as the state does not compel it, there is a better chance of having secular subject introduced. The issue is the rabbonim will not permit state control of chareidi education.

Kol Chai:

So HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L permitted teaching secular subjects in the Mayan Chinuch schools?

Biton:

Certainly these subjects would not be taught without the permission from Rav Ovadia.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)