Unqualified Teachers Jeopardize Future of Haredi Students as Core Studies Lag

A heated debate erupted in the Knesset Finance Committee this week during a session to approve the transfer of 98 million NIS to Haredi educational institutions. While the political battle centered on budgets, alarming new data presented to committee members highlighted a deep crisis in the quality of education provided to students within the Shas and United Torah Judaism systems.

The statistics gathered for the discussion reveal a staggering lack of professional training among educators in core subjects.

According to the data, 93% of English teachers in these Talmud Torah schools are not qualified to teach the subject as required. The situation is equally dire in other essential fields, with 95% of science teachers and 90% of mathematics teachers lacking the proper credentials to teach these subjects.

Barriers to Future Employment

Experts warn that the lack of qualified instruction in math, science, and English creates a significant barrier for Haredi students entering the modern workforce. These subjects are considered essential for job candidacy in almost every professional sector. Without proper foundations, students may find themselves at a severe disadvantage, regardless of their academic potential.

KM Gafni Protests Committee Oversight

KM Moshe Gafni expressed sharp anger during the session, protesting the very existence of the debate. He chose to ignore the disturbing data regarding the high percentage of unqualified teachers, focusing instead on the budgetary process. Gafni argued that while massive sums of money approved in the national budget are transferred to their destinations without hesitation, the Finance Committee only demands a re-examination when it comes to the salaries of Haredi teachers. He insisted that these funds should be delivered as planned, without being subjected to recurring committee reviews or scrutiny of teaching standards.