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NEWS
Rav Lazerson: Only Gedolei Yisroel Determine Chinuch
Atzmai Curriculum
by Yated Ne'eman Staff
"Chinuch Atzmai was set up by the previous generation of
gedolei Yisroel, zechusom yogen oleinu, as an
independent stream of education, subordinate to the rule of
gedolei Yisroel and subject to their authority
exclusively," said Rav Avrohom Yosef Lazerson, one of the
heads of Chinuch Atzmai, last week. "Fifty years ago absolute
agreement was obtained regarding its full educational
independence, which has been recognized by every Israeli
government [since then] . . . Gedolei hador of that
period did not agree to be included in the standard education
system in order to provide a Torah-based education in an
independent manner, free of dictates and directives from
external entities. These have been the foundation stones and
the life and breath of Chinuch Atzmai from [its inception] to
today. As its name states, it is independent in its
curriculum and its pedagogical doctrine. No individual,
including the administrative staff, has the authority or the
power to make decisions on these issues, which lie in the
hands of maranan gedolei hador alone."
This response was prompted by a provocative letter which
Knesset Education Committee Chairman Ilan Shalgi (Shinui)
sent to Education Minister Limor Livnat, in which he quotes
an excerpt from a letter Rav Lazerson sent to a Knesset
Committee on 11 Iyar 5763 stating, "As we have announced in
the past, we will bring the Core Curriculum in detailed form
to the attention of gedolei Yisroel who, as has been
known since the founding [of Chinuch Atzmai] fifty years ago,
are the supreme authority in determining programs and study
arrangements in our system."
Shalgi challenged these remarks, saying that according to the
National Education Law of 5763 the Minister of Education has
the power to determine the curriculum of official
institutions and "Rav Lazerson should be reminded that since
the funding for the education system, including Chinuch
Atzmai, is through the State and according to State Law,
until they give notice of acceptance of the Core Curriculum,
funding will not be transferred to them."
He also noted a recent report in the Hebrew edition of
Yated Ne'eman stating that talmud Torah
representatives would reject out of hand the State- sponsored
initiative designed to erode their autonomy. In response to
Shalgi's letter, the Spokeswoman for the Ministry of
Education relayed the Minister's announcement that
representatives of Chinuch Atzmai's pedagogical secretariat
held several congenial meetings on the matter together with
representatives of the Education Ministry's pedagogical
secretariat, during which the Core Curriculum was formulated,
stressing "the meetings were intended to pose questions and
present answers and comments regarding the issue of the
obligation to study subjects in the Core Curriculum" and that
chareidi schools classified as recognized unofficial
institutions would have to adopt 75 percent of the program.
Livnat claimed this minimum requirement does not foist upon
chareidim subjects "inconsistent with the belief and ideology
of this sector." The Minister's announcement concludes with a
recalcitrant reaction to Rav Lazerson's remarks. "There has
been no change in my statements as expressed in the Knesset
Education Committee regarding the Core Curriculum, its
implementation, and its enforcement in all sectors."
Rav Lazerson said that despite talks held between
representatives of the respective pedagogical secretariats in
order to present Chinuch Atzmai's position regarding the
program, no resolutions were reached and the final decision
is in the hands of gedolei Yisroel. He also expressed
hope that the Education Minister, who has shown understanding
and sensitivity to issues affecting chareidi education, would
continue her well-advised approach of avoiding enforcement on
matters of educational principles while repelling attempts by
Shinui figures to breach the walls of pure education and
destroy the foundations of Chinuch Atzmai and the sacred
principles it has upheld for the last fifty years.
One month ago during a special meeting of the Knesset
Education Committee on the implementation of the Core
Curriculum, with Livnat and top Ministry officials present
and Chinuch Atzmai representatives absent, Shalgi launched a
verbal attack against the Chinuch Atzmai curriculum and
demanded that Livnat enforce the program.
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