We are now living the consequences of what we didn't do in 2014

Roni Eitan argues that Israel is experiencing the repercussions of failing to address the Haredi education system in 2014. He explains that the 2038 draft cycle was determined by the first graders of 2026, and warns that in four years, the majority of the 2042 cycle will not come from groups bearing the burden. The author calls for dismantling incentives for separatism and conditioning budgets on core curriculum studies.

Roni Eitan argues in an opinion piece on ynet that Israel is now living the consequences of failing to address the Haredi education system in 2014. According to him, that year 16-17% of children entering first grade belonged to the Haredi sector, and due to the autonomy the state allowed them, they completed their education without basic skills and without connection to society and the state. Eitan explains that the demographic mechanism operates with a 12-year delay: the 2038 draft cycle was effectively determined by the children who entered first grade in 2026. He warns, based on an analysis by Chen Seror of Ministry of Education data, that in four years the majority of the 2042 cycle will no longer come from groups bearing the burden. The author calls for dismantling the incentive mechanism that rewards separatism, including conditioning budgets on core curriculum studies, and argues that the current political map prevents the necessary change.