Bennett: Next gov't will declare national education emergency, address teacher shortage

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that a government led by him would declare a national state of emergency in the education system and tackle a critical shortage of more than 30,000 teachers. Bennett, a leading opposition figure, criticized the current government for neglecting both security and children's education.

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If I were prime minister, I would declare a national state of emergency in the education system and address the shortage of more than 30,000 teachers.

"If I were prime minister, I would declare a national state of emergency in the education system and address the shortage of more than 30,000 teachers," Bennett stated at TheMarker's education conference. He pledged to establish a single state education system for all Israeli children, ensuring they study a common core of Hebrew, English, mathematics, civics, Bible studies, and Zionism. Bennett emphasized that institutions failing to teach this core curriculum would lose state funding, declaring, "If it’s not Zionist, it won’t be on my dime."

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All Israeli children will study a common core of Hebrew, English, mathematics, civics, Bible studies, and Zionism.

Bennett's proposal extends to cutting state funding for ultra-Orthodox educational institutions that do not teach core curriculum studies. He also intends to halt funding for ultra-Orthodox individuals who evade military service. This initiative aims to create a shared national foundation through a standardized curriculum, with 60% of studies dedicated to core subjects and the remaining 40% determined by individual communities and schools. Bennett also plans to launch a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7 Hamas massacre.

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If it’s not Zionist, it won’t be on my dime.