40 students in one classroom: "Like sardines. This isn't education - it's low-quality babysitting"

Just before the school year begins, parents in Haifa and Givatayim were informed of class mergers, with nearly 40 students in some cases. Educators warn of harm to personal attention, achievements, and emotional well-being. The Ministry of Education stated its intention to lead a dramatic reduction in class sizes in the next term.

Just before the school year begins, parents in Haifa and Givatayim were informed of class mergers, with nearly 40 students in some cases. At the Romema Neginot elementary school in Haifa, 38 children will be squeezed into one classroom with the approval of the Ministry of Education, the supervision, and the local authority, after students moved to other schools. Parents describe a crowded classroom "like sardines" and warn of harm to personal attention, achievements, and the emotional state of children, especially those with attention difficulties and learning disabilities. Educators and experts join the warnings, noting that crowding makes classroom management difficult, increases disruptions, and shortens teaching time. OECD data shows Israel ranks second in elementary school density, with 27.4 students per class compared to the OECD average of 20.5. The Ministry of Education responded that Minister Yoav Kisch intends to lead a multi-year plan in the next term to dramatically reduce class sizes, with an investment of about 15 billion shekels.