The Education Ministry has launched a free “Children’s After-School Program” for children living in southern Israel, it was announced Monday.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett said in the announcement the program is intended to counter the impact on children from having to live with the constant terror attacks on the region by Gaza terrorists.
“We have promised to establish an afternoon school program for every child in the south,” Bennett said. “The south is us.
“The tense security situation in the south in recent months has had an impact on the lives of the students.
“We will give the students a respite in the afternoon, and we will give a class for all the children of the south in grades 4 and 5 in order to enrich the students and allow them to engage in activities.
“Our commitment to the residents of the south is to provide security and stability, both physically and educationally. And as long as the situation continues, we will consider additional measures as well,” he added.
Education Ministry director-general Shmuel Abuav added that recreational activities, including enrichment classes, are “among the best ways to preserve a routine, build resilience and ease tensions among students.
“The program is organized for all students in the southern region and communities surrounding the Gaza Strip. It includes various subjects such as language, science, swimming, sports, music and art,” Abuav said.
The program, funded and supervised by the Education Ministry, is being offered to all fourth and fifth graders in all southern localities — approximately 50,000 students — with funding to the localities based on the income of the child’s family.
