The National and Islamic Forces in Jerusalem voiced their apprehensions about the potential failure of the upcoming school year in the city on Monday, August 14, 2023. These concerns stem from the plans of the teacher strike movement to reinitiate their strikes.
In an official statement, the national forces highlighted that approximately 700 students have opted to transfer to schools operated by occupation municipalities. These schools either employ modified curricula or follow the “Israeli” educational program. The decision to shift schools has been attributed to the ongoing teacher strike.
On August 11, the Unified Teacher Movement declared that the commencement of the new academic year will be postponed in all schools across the West Bank until the Palestinian government addresses its complete set of demands.
It was emphasized that this situation is grave, as 150 educators have tendered their resignations. Additionally, several others have applied for indefinite leaves. As a result of the ongoing strike, educational activities have ceased in around 25 classroom sections within Jerusalem schools.
The statement further pointed out that these initial figures are not only alarming but also pose a significant threat to the Palestinian education sector in Jerusalem. This situation signals a potential impending disaster and implies a high likelihood of the upcoming school season’s failure.
The national forces have called for urgent actions to safeguard the remnants of the Palestinian education sector in Jerusalem. They underscored the need for a comprehensive national strategy to counter the attempts aimed at undermining education within the city.
Addressing the teacher movement, a plea was made to exclude educators in Jerusalem from any upcoming strike actions. The objective is to protect the integrity of education in the city and ensure its continuity.
Since the city’s occupation in 1967, the education sector in Jerusalem has encountered a range of critical challenges by Israel that hinder its development and impede its growth.
One of the most significant obstacles faced by this sector is the Israeli systematic attempt to alter curricula. This effort is part of a broader strategy aiming to impose new educational norms in favor of the Israeli occupation authorities.
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