BICOM

Israel’s Education Minister Shai Piron yesterday outlined a new initiative which aims to promote the values of tolerance and equality throughout the country’s education system.

Speaking at yesterday’s cabinet meeting, Piron said that the multi-year plan, called “The Other is Me” is “not a project but a new language that will unite the Israeli education system.” He said that the initiative will incorporate all levels of education, from pre-school to high school and will “lead Israel into being an exemplary society, a society of values, in which everyone, every person, every pupil, every boy and girl, has a place.” Israel’s education system currently consists of four parallel but separate state-funded school networks, tailored to serve secular, religious Jewish, ultra-Orthodox Jewish and Arab communities.

Piron outlined the elements which the new initiative will incorporate, including a fight against racism and discrimination, to “create a situation in which every person, regardless of colour, sexual preference and religious outlook will have a place in society.” It will also consist of a drive “to create a substantive relationship between the various communities in Israel – Israeli Arabs, the ultra-orthodox, national religious, secular.” Piron said that the initiative will also seek to make learning meaningful for all and create a space for excellence for all Israeli children, regardless of the focus for their talents.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Piron, “I would like to commend this project and the emphasis that you are giving to it… I very much appreciate this project.” Piron said that the cabinet would be briefed in more detail on “The Other is Me” during the coming weeks.