Chapter III
Education
Charedi education will remain independant, and that independance will be fiercely guarded. But we know the truth: that our children deserve better trained teaachers, safe buildings, real help for those who struggle, and tools to serve them throughout their lives.
The education of our children in Torah and derech eretz is one of the most important foundations of Jewish continuity as well as the continued existence of a community faithful to its values. In recognition of this responsibility, the Charedi Public Party is fully committed to preserving the independence of Charedi education and resisting improper outside interference.
At the same time, when we look inward honestly and responsibly, we must acknowledge that many areas within the Charedi education system leave much to be desired. Our teachers need better training, our children need spacious and safe buildings, professional assistance for emotional, educational, and social difficulties, the foundational knowledge and practical tools that will help them later in life, and a strong support system to reduce the danger of children falling out of the educational framework.
What We Will Change
1. Strengthening and Regulating Educational Institutions: Strengthening the state-Charedi (“Mamach”) education system, which enables boys and girls to receive an education rooted in Torah and derech eretz combined with knowledge to be able to lead responsible lives, all within a properly funded and supervised framework.
2. Independence and Diversity: Establishing a wide range of institutions within the state-Charedi framework, so that every parent in every community can find an educational setting suited to its particular tradition, standards, and character. Each institution will operate under an independent charter adapted to the identity of its community.
3. Parental Involvement: Establishing effective parent committees and providing incentives to institutions that involve parents in a professional and transparent manner in planning and implementation.
4. Equality in Resources: Completely eliminating the unacceptable situation in which children are forced to learn in temporary or unsafe structures. Every child must have the right to study in a proper classroom and in a safe, secure building. A national strategic program will be advanced for the planning, funding, and construction of proper educational buildings for the Charedi community, in accordance with clear criteria and independant of political or communal connections.
5. Safety and Protection: Introducing protection programs in all educational institutions to create a safe environment and prevent physical and verbal abuse.
6. Staff training: Allocating significant funding for high-quality and ongoing training for teachers and educators, with designated professionals in every institution capable of identifying difficulties and risks at an early stage.
7. Informal Education: Funding youth organizations, social-education frameworks, extracurricular programs, camps, and enrichment activities within the community; encouraging education for proper values, social responsibility, and interpersonal skills; and promoting a broad “Challenges” program to advance equality of opportunity and social mobility.
8. Preventing Dropout: Developing and expanding professional programs to prevent children from leaving the educational system and to address difficulties in adjustment. This will be done through drawing children close with warmth and strengthening their connection to Torah through love. Special attention will be given to children in transitional stages, and during particularly vulnerable times.