State education must return to the heart of the agenda, not as another item in an election platform

Ahead of the school year, an opinion column calls for returning state education to the top of the national priority list, not as a platform item. The author argues that adequate pay is insufficient and that the teaching profession's status must be rebuilt, professional horizons created, and trust and authority restored to staff. She demands a multi-year national plan, the establishment of a national education council, and equal budgeting across streams.

Ahead of the opening of the school year, an opinion column by Galit Shaul calls for returning state education in Israel to the heart of the national agenda, rather than leaving it as another item in election platforms. The author describes the system as being at one of the most severe low points it has known, with erosion of its status, gaps between education streams, a shortage of teaching staff, a rise in violence and emotional difficulties, and a heavy burden on education teams. She argues that adequate pay is a basic condition but not sufficient, and calls for rebuilding the status of the teaching profession, creating professional horizons, restoring trust and authority to staff, and giving local authorities tools to act. She demands a multi-year national plan with measurable goals and the establishment of a national education council, while ensuring equal budgeting across streams. The author emphasizes that recovery is not limited to rehabilitating physical infrastructure but also involves building the foundation for the next generation.