Bennett: Next gov't will declare national education emergency, address teacher shortage

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the B'Yachad party, said on Monday that a government led by him would declare a national state of emergency in the education system and address a shortage of more than 30,000 teachers. Speaking at The Marker's education conference, Bennett criticized the current government for having 'abandoned security also abandoned Israel's children.' He pledged to establish one state education system for all Israeli children, requiring a common core curriculum of Hebrew, English, mathematics, civics, Bible studies, and Zionism. Bennett stated that institutions not teaching the core curriculum would not receive state funding: 'Anyone who does not study the common Israeli core curriculum will not receive a single shekel from the state. If it's not Zionist, it won't be on my dime.' Under his past proposal, 60% of studies would be on the core curriculum, with communities and schools determining the remaining 40%. Bennett also said he would cut funding to haredi educational institutions that do not teach core studies and halt funding to haredim who evade service. He added that one of his first priorities would be establishing a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 Hamas massacre. Bennett formed a political alliance with opposition leader Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party in April.