ULPANIM SHOULD CONTINUE
Both the Kibbutz Movement weekly newspapers (“HaKibbutz”
and “HaDaf HaYaroK”) have
reported this week that there is a decision by the Ministry of Education to
cease funding for teaching at Ulpanim. This has caused a rumpus in the kibbutz
movement and the Education Ministry has temporarily put on hold this decision
thanks to the intervention of M.K. Orit Noked (member of Kibbutz Shefayim).
The “Daf Hayarok” reported:
“The Ministry of Education has stepped down from its intention to cease funding
for teachers at Ulpanim for new immigrants already in January”. The kibbutz
movement has today only 18 Hebrew language Ulpanim and some were informed by
the Adult Education department of the ministry that, due to budgetary cuts, the
ministry is on the verge of immediately stopping employing teachers at Ulpanim.
This would mean the closing down of the Ulpanim or them being privatized.
Such a message was passed on to Hillel Leviatan the director of the Special Ulpan at Kibbutz Yagur for employees and Larry Shinar
director of the kibbutz ulpan that opened studies
recently for 55 new immigrants and Jewish tourists. There is a lot of confusion
and uncertainty at all the Ulpanim. Knesset Member, Orit
Noked was approached and quickly spoke with the
Minister of Education, Yuli Tamir.
Tamir explained that due to the protracted national
strike by teachers in
The Ministry of Education said that there was indeed a cut in the budget
leading to a rethink regarding Ulpanim. Together with this, the director
general of the ministry, Shlomit Amichai,
promised the absorption committee that new immigrants are entitled to learn at ulpanim and the present situation will continue until the
end of the school year. During this time there will be a re-evaluation of the
possible steps to be taken between the education ministry and the Absorption
Ministry with the joint aim being the continuing instruction of Hebrew studies
for new immigrants.
If you feel strongly about the importance of continuing Hebrew Ulpanim for new
immigrants and tourists lobby the Ministry of Education in
E-mail: info@education.gov.il
Fax: 972-2- 5602390
Your comments would be welcome!
Have a good week
Regards
Baruch