Council of Torah Sages decided: no changes in curricula of educational institutions

The Council of Torah Sages of Agudath Israel announced today the decisions taken at a meeting held on Sunday in Jerusalem. A "Kol Kore' published this morning in party newspapers 'Hamodia' and 'Hamevasser' said that "after a comprehensive discussion on the matter" it was decided to stand firm against changes in the curriculum in Talmud Torah schools, yeshivas and schools.

Council members emphasized in the first section that "there will be no changes made in Talmud Torah schools and yeshivos, in the contents and order of study, what was practiced from time immemorial, and core curriculum will not be incorporated in them."

Further on council members refer to academic studies, and write: "One shall not bring in the study of the Chinuch Atzmai, Beis Yaakov and the general haredi educational system, any academic studies," and also determine that it is forbidden for principals to accept to the Haredi educational system teachers and staff who pursue academic studies which have not been approved by the "Rabbis' Committee for Education Matters authorized by us."

In response to jobseekers leaving to pursue academic studies to get a job it was determined: "A committee will be established to take care of promoting jobs that do not require courses of study and academic degrees, and places of work accordingly."

Another section reads: "Jewish girls will not learn at universities, colleges, institutes and educational institutions in which they learn for matriculation and academic degrees."

Another section refers to avreichim who go ou t to the labor market and wives of avreichim who go out to support their families, with a clear instruction to be very weary of working in dubious places, "but only where modesty and a haredi atmosphere is maintained".

The last section provides that "the melamdim and teachers must educate students to these values, in educational classes."

The two party papers intensify the attacks on the Minister of Education, Rabbi Shai Piron. In 'Hamodia' and 'Hamevasser' cartoons were published in which the Education Minister is seen violently forcing the haredim to accept the core curriculum.

Minister Piron said in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth that any educational institution that will not teach the core curriculum, will not receive funding. According to his scheme, Talmud Torah children will learn the core studies in specialized centers to be established.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!