One-third of students not registered for school in Kiryat Shmona, mayor warns

Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern has issued a stark warning: approximately one-third of students have failed to register for the upcoming school year. He attributes this alarming trend to the ongoing instability in northern Israel, which is forcing families to leave and disrupting normal educational life. Stern stated that the city is currently missing around 1,000 students from its education system.

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No parent or resident wants to raise their children like this. If they do, it’s for patriotic Zionist reasons, but how much longer can we test the resilience and Zionism of the people here? In the end, this resilience has a limit.

Stern highlighted that only about 10,000 of Kiryat Shmona's roughly 26,000 pre-war residents have returned. He expressed concern over the strain on residents' resilience, questioning how long they can endure the current situation. "No parent or resident wants to raise their children like this," Stern said, adding that while some stay for patriotic reasons, "this resilience has a limit."

The mayor described an education system operating under constant security pressure, leading to inconsistent attendance. "Parents are afraid to send their children to the education systems," he noted. Even for students attending, disruptions are frequent, with recent holiday activities requiring some to participate remotely due to gathering restrictions. Stern pointed out the cumulative impact on children, who have experienced remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, evacuations due to conflict, and extended periods in shelters.

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The students' attendance is not full; parents are afraid to send their children to the education systems.

Stern argued that declining enrollment is a direct consequence of the persistent conflict. "Is it any wonder that parents decide not to take another year like this, when they see that the rest of the country is studying as usual, and here they live in a reality of war?" he asked. The comments came as northern Israel faced renewed drone attacks from Lebanon, prompting new restrictions on educational activities in border communities. Kindergartens are now restricted to protected spaces, and children are not allowed to leave school grounds.

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Is it any wonder that parents decide not to take another year like this, when they see that the rest of the country is studying as usual, and here they live in a reality of war?