Original penalty during recess: Learn Gemara

Punishments in schools and religious schools are an accepted educational act to torment rogue students who sinned in misconduct.

But the religious school Rambam in Nahariya, considered as one of the best schools in the city, the director goes a step further, and when he wants to punish students, he orders them to stay holed up in his room during recess, but they do not have to sit back idly, and are obliged to sit poring over the Talmud and contemplate them until the end of recess and then return to their classroom and learn Gemara again.

The last story appeared in 'Yedioth North': the school Principal Michael Ben-Shoshan, who was recognized for his achievements and last year also received an award for outstanding work as an educator, accumulated complaints from parents, on the disproportionate punishment of children.

Alongside particularly severe fines imposed on children, says one of the mothers, that last week her son played ball during lunch break along with a group of children. At one point the boys inadvertently hit something. The director was angry about the damage caused, and instructed the group consisting of eleven children, to come to the principal's office for two weeks, and study the Talmud.

"I have no problem with the child learning a chapter at home, but why does he need to miss recess? Don’t they have other punishments? He's studying all day, comes recess, and he needs some time with friends, to play, become socially involved," says the mother.

Other parents complained that in another case, students punished for another case were forced to enter the office of the director during breaks, and may not even talk to each other. "Not only are they deprived of recess, they are forced to sit in silence for a long time, which is contrary to the basic need of a boy during recess."

The complaints came to the Ministry of Education. But there they don’t see a need to intervene and justified the Board: "Supervisor of the school," the reaction stated, "held a comprehensive and thorough investigation on the subject. Examination revealed that this is an educational punishment, which is certainly proportionate and appropriate in light of overall behavior of the children who are punished."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!