According to Education Minister (Yesh Atid) the new curtailed summer vacation plan “is not a pilot but a revolution”, boasting his new program which he feels represents a major breakthrough by the ministry.

Piron’s plan will not offer an extended school year but a voluntary summer camp program for 200,000 first and second graders and 30,000 3rd-5th graders from lower income areas. The ministry plans to include remaining 3rd and 4th graders in the summer of 2015 and kindergarten children in 2016. Participation will be voluntary, not mandatory.

The estimated cost is 215 million NIS, of which 160 million NIS will come from the treasury. An additional 160 million NIS will be from Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein’s organization and the state Mifal HaPayis lottery and other sources.

The ‘classes’ will be groups of 28 children and run by specially trained counselors, not teachers. The cost will depend on the income of parents. Children coming from lower income families will attend free of charge, middle income families will pay 300 NIS and high income families 450 NIS.

Piron feels his breakthrough plan will permit many more children to attend a summer program while unburdening the parents from the additional expense.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)