Only 40% of ultra-Orthodox high schools teach math and English

Ultra-Orthodox schools for boys are exempted from teaching basic subjects like math and science. Currently, there are 20,000 teens that study at such schools.

15/12/2011 13:12

Tags: Core curriculum · economic impact · Ministry of Education · Central Bureau of Statistics · Ha’aretz

Haredi school children in Beitar Illit playing on the roof of the school. 22.03.2010. Photo: Nati Shohat, Flash 90

In a study released by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reveals that only 40% of high schools for ultra-Orthodox teenagers teach English and math.

This study commissioned by the Ministry of Education, surveyed 3,300 elementary, middle and high schools and found that between 75-85% of schools teach core subjects. It is mostly ultra-Orthodox schools that account for these numbers.

Core subjects include math, Hebrew, English, history, geography, road safety, Israeli heritage, science and life skills. The need for workers in Israel that don’t have basic education is consistently declining, which would leave these students without even the possibility of joining the workforce.

As opposed to 100% of regular state high schools, both secular and religious, who teach all core subjects, ultra-Orthodox schools for boys were entirely exempted from teaching these core subjects in 2008. Ultra-Orthodox schools for girls teach most of these core subjects, and many take matriculation exams.

Only 41% of ultra-Orthodox high schools teach math, 39% teach English, 30% teach civics and geography, 41% teach Hebrew literature and 43% teach Hebrew grammar.

Although 20,000 ultra-Orthodox teens study at schools that are exempted from these subjects, all other schools are supposed to enforce them. However, the Ministry of Education does not have the resources to overseee the teaching of these subjects as they are supposed to.

Only 41% of ultra-Orthodox high schools teach math, 39% teach English, 30% teach civics and geography, 41% teach Hebrew literature and 43% teach Hebrew grammar.

While the ultra-Orthodox population of Israel makes up about 10% of the population of Israel, 25% of current first graders are ultra-Orthodox. As this population continues to explode, the impact on Israel of these students not learning core subjects will be staggering; the Israeli economy will face enormous, and potentially insurmountable, challenges if this population will be entirely unable to participate in the workforce.

Ha'aretz coverage of the study here