If the US can have a GI Bill which provides free college education among other entitlements in appreciation of their service, why can’t Israel? Bibi is wrong to ignore such an approach because it would disadvantage the Arabs and the Hereidi who don’t serve in the IDF. Ted Belman
Cabinet approves extension of free education to children as young as 3 • After-school care would be subsidized for children of working parents • Netanyahu: We are correcting a historical distortion.
Mati Tuchfeld and Zeev Klein, ISRAEL HAYOM
Israel’s cabinet on Sunday approved budget cuts that would allow for an extension of the Free and Compulsory Education Law to include children as young as 3, starting in the 2012-13 school year. In addition, the cabinet approved funding to subsidize late afternoon childcare for working parents only.
Free education currently starts at age 5, and day care and preschools for younger children are often prohibitively expensive. The new law will qualify childcare programs under the “education” umbrella, making them free for parents as soon as their children hit age 3. In addition, the length of the school day would be extended for children aged 3 to 9, and late-afternoon day care for children in this age group would be subsidized. However, Yisrael Beitenu stipulated that the subsidy for late-afternoon day care be given to working parents only, and the cabinet approved this caveat. At present, a municipal preschool for children ages 3-5 in the center of the country costs about NIS 900 ($236) per month for mornings only, and about NIS 1,800 ($470) per month until 4 p.m. Day care for younger children can cost significantly more, but will not be covered by the new budget allocation.
Despite earlier expectations of a delay due to harsh opposition among some coalition members, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu managed to pass the provision on Sunday. The appropriation was approved by a majority of 21, and opposed by eight Yisrael Beitenu and Independence party ministers. The allocation was passed once it became clear that Likud ministers do not oppose it and understandings were reached with Shas party ministers on the issue.
On the morning before the deliberation, it appeared that there would be a crisis and the funding provision would not be passed. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman made it clear before the meeting, that the proposal must be changed so that subsidies are granted first and foremost to parents who participate in the work force and serve in the army. Otherwise, his party would oppose it.
During the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu rejected Lieberman’s demand, saying, “The law will apply both to vulnerable populations and working populations. We are in the midst of an educational revolution. We have made changes in schools, implemented significant reforms, saved higher education and opened centers for excellent students. Israel currently attracts Israeli researchers from universities around the world. This is how we cultivate this tree, from the trunk through the branches and on to the treetops. At this point, we are concentrating on the roots: bringing children into our system of free education starting at age 3. This is something that has been discussed for 63 years and yet has not been done; so we are here to do this. This is a welcome step. We are helping young couples, we are helping the families who need it most and we are helping working families.”
A source close to Lieberman said following the vote, “Our party is a firm supporter of free education, but we suggest other ways of realizing the plan. The fact that the program was approved with votes from Shas ministers speaks volumes as to how much it is going to help the middle class, those who work, pay taxes and serve in the military. The Trajtenberg report’s recommendation that money be taken from the defense budget was not implemented, and the exact opposite happened. Funds are being taken from the Welfare, Health, and Internal Security Ministries instead, which will adversely affect the welfare and security of the nation’s citizens.”
Members of Yisrael Beitenu emphasized that the guiding principle should be what Netanyahu had stated in the past, with one party member saying, “If they [the ultra-Orthodox] give to society, they will get benefits from society, and if they don’t, they won’t.”
They added, “The state must reward those citizens who carry its burden. In its current format, the decision does not provide a solution for these people. This is a move made with the intention to score points with the public rather than truly implementing the Trajtenberg document’s recommendations.”
Knesset members in Barak’s Independence party, with the exception of MK Orit Noked, also opposed the program. “The defense budget has steadily plummeted over the years, both percentage-wise and in relation to the GDP. The immediate effect is to lessen the ‘burden’ that defense places on the economy. In these times of multiplying security challenges and potentially unexpected incidents, it should be obvious that we need to stop wrangling over the defense budget,” Barak said.
After reaching a compromise with Shas, which is speculated to include housing benefits for low-income families and the ultra-Orthodox sector, the Prime Minister’s Office succeeded in winning over two Likud ministers who had opposed the proposed allocation. Silvan Shalom (Likud) and Yossi Peled (Likud) removed their objection once they had been assured there would be no budget cuts to development in the Negev and Galilee regions.
“This historic agreement goes along with a long line of steps taken by the current government for education and academics, unlike previous governments which spoke but did not act,” Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar (Likud) said.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit on Sunday issued a statement regarding the government’s decision to cut the defense budget. “It is the government role to decide the level of resources it will provide for defense. The IDF will present the government with the strategic significance of its decision in terms of building a fighting force and will continue to everything in its power to protect Israeli citizens,” the statement read.
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