Due to the hustle and bustle of the return to school schedule, dozens of local authorities have announced the extension of school days to the younger classes in elementary school.
Race against time and hustle and bustle - Towards the first ring:
amid the sharp criticism of the decision to separate A and B children into capsules in the morning and "mix them" in the afternoons, local authorities that can afford it have started recruiting staff to allow for five days of study In a week instead of three - also for layers C and D.
Photo: Knesset Channel
Among the solutions found to preserve the layout of the capsules set by the cabinet: a split in study hours, a reduction in the number of teachers teaching in each capsule, learning in open spaces and more.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement this week that there is no money for capsule studies five days a week has in fact led to a situation that depends on the financial capabilities of each local authority or each school principal. The head of health services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sharon Elrai-Price, admitted Last night on News 12 that the current situation is forced and defined it as a "compromise".
The local government center estimates that most authorities will be able to introduce five school days for first and second grades.
It is estimated that this is temporary and will not last long.
The big question: what will happen when fifth- and sixth-graders return to school.
It now appears that in most schools in the country there will be five school days, for first, second, third and fourth grades.
Some authorities have announced that they intend to allow learning in the outline of one or two days a week for fifth- and sixth-graders as well.
In Holon, classes for these classes will be held twice a week, for two hours in classes.
The municipality of Rishon Lezion has announced that these classes will be taught in classrooms on Fridays.
The mayor of Givatayim, Ran Konik, announced yesterday (Tuesday) at noon that in his city, first- and fourth-year students will study five days a week, in capsules.
The afternoons will also work.
"The fifth-twelfth grades will continue to be distance learning," he said.
The same study concept will also be in Tel Aviv, where each grade (Sunday-Wednesday) will be divided into capsules of 22-17 students. In Rishon Lezion, they began recruiting staff and mapping open spaces for learning, and there will also be five school days for the same age groups. In Holon, Lod, Bat Yam, Rehovot, Raanana, Pardes Hanna, Ramat Gan, Modi'in, Ashkelon, Hod Hasharon and other localities.
"Logic wins in the end"
Haim Bibbs, mayor of Modi'in and chairman of the local government center, concluded: "In the end, logic wins.
Most authorities will be able to open the frameworks independently, five days a week, while meeting the requirements of the Ministry of Health.
The other authorities will not be left alone and we will assist them with tailored solutions. "
In a discussion held yesterday in the Knesset's Education Committee, regulations were discussed that allow schools to conduct educational activities in the open.
According to the regulations, learning will be allowed in groups of up to 15 students in an open space and at a distance of 100 meters between groups.
Preliminary tests for teachers
In preparation for the opening of studies in grades 1-4, the Ministry of Health recommends that about 60,000 members of the teaching staff be tested in Corona.
The samples will be taken at the Home Front Command's test complexes or through an appointment at the HMOs.
The ministry stressed that a classroom or educational institution can be opened even if a teacher has not yet received the test results.
Subjects should not go into isolation until the answer is received, and those who have already been diagnosed with corona should not be tested again.
The chairman of the Education Committee, MK Ram Shefa, criticized the limitations in the open-space learning format proposed by the Ministries of Health and Education, noting that the committee headed by him would not approve the regulations.
"The intention to allow students and teachers to meet in open spaces is welcome and important, but I do not understand the restriction on 15 students and the directive to maintain a distance of 100 meters between groups, while the general public is allowed to gather in groups of up to 20 people."
In addition, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein tried to explain how to open up the controversial education system.
"Grades A and B will unfortunately only learn part of the time. This is due to the requirement to take care of the children and their families."