#0202_A_View_From_West_Jerusalem

News Digest: Jerusalem classrooms

“A victory for Jerusalem’s children at the Supreme Court!
4000 classrooms are missing in the city, and how many [new classrooms] did the Ministry of Finance budget? 60!
I am glad that the Supreme Court accepted the position of the municipality and the Parent’s Organization and directed the Ministry of Finance to put an end to this terrible oversight!
We will continue to fight for your sake, Children of Jerusalem.”

– Nir Barkat, Mayor of Jerusalem

[Selected Comments:]
– “It is obvious to any intelligent person, that the issue is that the Minister of Finance isn’t your biggest supporter. But because Jerusalem is our capital, and the most sacred place, the Minister of Finance must give it as much as possible. […]”
– “In other words – the Supreme Court says that the municipality has failed in dealing with this situation, and the state’s assistance is required. Really, well done, Nir [Barkat]. Continue wasting money on all the non-important things, and then wait until there’s no money left.”
– “4000 classrooms?! 4000 times 30 students equals 120000 children. In other words, almost all children younger than 16 in Jerusalem don’t have a proper classroom? That’s an exaggerated number, no?”
– “Two hypocrites – Barkat and Kahlon [Minister of Finance]! You’re both motivated by personal interests.”
– “A city of poor people that don’t pay property taxes, and then the municipality complains and asks for tax money from the state. Pathetic.”
– “What about the expensive property tax? And the [traffic] reports that you give? Where does the money goes? Jobs for favorites? Formula [1 event]? ‘Shas’ [party] conference? [1] There is money [in the city coffers] and you give it out to your associates…”
– “We’ve had enough of you. You’ve turned Jerusalem into an arena for your childish battle with Kahlon [finance minister], and in your audacity, you use my money to print campaign signs. You don’t fight for the children of Jerusalem, there’s only one child you fight for – yourself.”
*
“3500 classrooms are missing in Jerusalem. It’s time for change!

I congratulate the Parent’s Organization on the important ruling that will require the state to budget for, and allow, the reduction of gaps, by building classrooms for the children of Jerusalem.
The education system in Jerusalem that serves 300 thousand students from all sectors [of society], requires national commitment. For too long, children have been hurt as a result of the Ministry of Education’s inaccurate policy, that budgets for the construction of classrooms in accordance with the natural population growth, and doesn’t assist in building classrooms in order to close the intolerable disparity.
To my regret, this past year we’ve witnessed a policy of Nir Barkat’s [Jerusalem mayor], that is in opposition to the spirit of this important verdict, – the transference of classrooms from one child to another [from a different sector], because of political interests [of the mayor’s]. This is not the solution to the strengthening of Jerusalem. As mayor, I will change this so that we may again develop the model of coexistence in Jerusalem.”

– Ofer Berkovitch, head of ‘Hit’orerut’ party [2]

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0202 Editor’s Notes:
[1] Two events conducted in Jerusalem. Barkat has been criticized repeatedly for sponsoring various events in Jerusalem, while basic services are lacking.
[2] ‘Hit’orerut’ – a local party whose agenda is pluralist-secular. Berkovitch, as its head, will be running for mayor in the upcoming elections.

#Education #Classroom_Crisis

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