The Knesset on Monday 26 Tammuz passed the amendment to the education law and as a result, chareidi schools that receive state funding are no longer compelled to teach math and English. It is pointed out that in essence, nothing is changing since that law was set to go into effect in the future so in the schools, nothing has change. It is also pointed out that while the government no longer compels them to teach math and English, schools such as Chinuch Atzmai, that teach secular subjects, will continue doing so.
The vote in Knesset passed by a 41 to 28 margin. Yesh Atid feels that the Ministry of Education should link state aid to teaching core subjects, primarily math and English.
The Education Vaad of Degel Hatorah published a notice in chareidi newspapers informing the tzibur that nothing is changing regarding the curriculum of talmidim in affiliated schools.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Didn’t the Gr”a learn math and say that it’s important for learning?
#1: Jakel, the Gra did indeed study math, but he didn’t allow it to be taught as a regulay study in yeshivah. And when the government several generations later forced tje issue, the Netziv closed down the entire Volozhiner Yeshivah the premier yeshivah (or one of the top) in Europe.
Aside from the issue of institutionalizing secular studies as part of a yeshivah curriculum, there is the issue of allowing a yeshivah to be subordinate to, and controlled by, a secular government that is inimical to Torah values. At best, that’s a dangerously slippery slope.
a) Being frank, if not taught in school, these kids won’t ever learn math (which also can help people down the road if they want to pursue a Hi-tech career)
– Yafeh Talmud Torah im Derech Eretz …
b) Almost all frum, yeshivish schools in America teach math. what’s the problem here?
c) There is a difference between the gov’t asking them to teach students math/english vs. teaching them other things that might be more questionable religiously. Obviously, the hanhala should have the foresight to know when to draw the line, but I don’t think it’s with math and english. This sounds like irrational paranoia to me.
d) So then don’t take money from the gov’t..