Bubka -“Rav Aharon Kotler ZT’L made some kind of commitment not to allow English studies on the HS level in Lakewood. The exact details, and if this was actually a Takanah or merely a preference, is not clear and depends who you ask. In any case, Rabbi Elya Svei, Rosh Yeshiva of Philadelphia and a student of Rav Aharon’s, was asked why he allows English in Philly if Rav Aharon was against it. What difference can there be between the town of Lakewood NJ and Philadelphia PA? Reb Elya answered that he has no choice, and that currently, the Baalei Batim would not send their kids to the Yeshiva except under these circumstances.”
I’ve posted this before and I’ll post it again. It’s possible that R’ Elya said this, but not from R’ Aharon. The reason about Lakewood that some didn’t/don’t have English was that R’ Nosson -the Mashchiach was against it.
Actually R’ Aharon presided over a Din Torah regarding this. The 12th grade class of Philly didn’t want to go to English/Secular studies -so they took R’ Elya to a Din Torah by R’ Aharon. R’ Aharon Paskened that they have to go to English because they are too young to learn a whole day -they need a babysitter.
Anything else you hear coming out of this town is a false rumor. But the people here spreading it – is because it fits in their agenda.