Despite claims of equality, it would appear that not every student in Israel’s public school system is funded equally. This is the simple truth based on data provided by 26 local governments.

Most of the budget for a student is obtained directly from the Ministry of Education, 75%, while the remainder is supposed to come from local government, funds usually generated by arnona municipal taxes. In actuality, the amount local government invests in its students varies, with some giving the required 25%, others giving more, and yet others not even meeting their legal obligation. The results reflect the funding realities to a degree, measured by the number of students earning a matriculation diploma.

Here are some of the figures:

Herzliya leads the list, investing NIS 5,017 per student above the budget received from the Education Ministry. As a result, 69% of students earn a matriculation diploma. In second place is Tel Aviv, spending NIS 4,437, resulting in 66% earning a full diploma.

Other municipalities include:

Tirat HaCarmel – NIS 4,213 (60%)

Ramat HaSharon – 3,607 (71%)

Ramat Gan – 3,516 (68%)

Nesher – 3,475 (67%)

Ra’anana – 3,366 (74%)

Petach Tikvah – 2,778 (62.5%)

Hadera – 2,477 (47%)

Hod HaSharon – 2,337 (71%)

Haifa – 2,095 (66%)

Or Yehuda – 1,907 (57.5%)

Kiryat Shmona – 1,825 (45%)

Bat Yam 1,793 (55%)

Kiryat Malachi – 1,549 (36.6%)

Kiryat Gat – 1,520 (64.5%)

Beit Shean – 1,313 (49.6%)

Ofakim – 1,227 (44%)

Netivot – 1,158 (54.5%)

Bnei Brak – 785 (16%)

Um el-Fahm – 135 (43%)

Shfaram – 179 (53%)

Nazareth – 70 (42.5%)

Rahat – 58 (45%)

Ararah – 32 (30.5%)

Sachknin – 0 (40.5)

On the other hand, the results indicate that money is not the end-all, with Ramat Gan spending 3,516 per student, as compared to Herzliya spending 5,017, with the percentage of students achieving a matriculation diploma being almost even, 68% for the former and 60% for the latter.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)