Education Minister Clarifies: Schools Ready to Reopen if Allowed

Education Minister Yoav Kisch clarified Monday that if Home Front Command announces a full return to routine, the education system is prepared to resume regular in-person studies immediately.

The clarification came after Iran reportedly announced that it was stopping its attacks against Israel, leading parents to ask whether schools could reopen sooner than planned.

Earlier Monday, Kisch announced that there would be no studies across the country on Tuesday. Instead, Tuesday is expected to serve as an organization day for schools, staff and students, with the goal of returning to in-person learning on Wednesday under a protected framework.

Kisch said the Education Ministry’s policy is to return to frontal learning as quickly as possible, subject to Home Front Command instructions.

During a press briefing, the minister argued that the gap between allowing workplaces and parts of the economy to operate while keeping the education system closed is unreasonable. If the economy is permitted to function near protected spaces, he said, the education system should also be allowed to operate under protected guidelines.

Special priority will be given to returning special education frameworks, programs for at-risk youth, informal education and preparations for end-of-year events.

Kisch also announced that matriculation exams will not take place this week. According to the ministry’s policy, Israeli students will not sit for external bagrut exams under fire. Some exams will be postponed, while others will be canceled and replaced with internal grades.

The Education Ministry is continuing to prepare for a return to studies, but the final decision depends on the security assessment and Home Front Command guidelines.