Full Breakdown
Israel's Education System Gradually Reopens Amid Ongoing Conflict with Iran
4/7/2026, 4:27:08 AM
Overview of the Reopening Plan
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a plan from the Education Ministry to gradually reopen schools and kindergartens starting Sunday, following a five-week closure due to the ongoing war with Iran. The decision was made during a meeting with key ministers, including Education Minister Yoav Kisch and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The plan involves a rotating system where 30 to 50 percent of students will attend in-person classes at a time, particularly in lower-risk areas, while maintaining safety protocols due to the threat of missile attacks.
Safety Measures and Guidelines
The reopening plan is contingent upon assessments from the Home Front Command, which has categorized areas of Israel into yellow (lower risk) and orange (higher risk). In yellow areas, in-person learning can occur if a shelter is accessible, while orange areas will prohibit educational activities. Schools in most of Israel are currently designated as orange, with exceptions for certain regions such as the Gaza border communities, Lower Galilee, Arava, and parts of the West Bank.
Opposition and Criticism
Critics, including Blue and White party chairman Benny Gantz, have urged the government to expedite the reopening of schools, arguing that educational institutions with adequate protective measures should resume operations to alleviate the burden on parents. Gantz emphasized the need for the government to act decisively unless there is a significant change in the security situation. Conversely, some local authorities, such as Jerusalem's education administration, have opted to delay reopening due to ongoing security concerns.
Official Statements and Responses
Education Minister Yoav Kisch stated, "The Education Minister's outline allows a gradual return of the education system to frontal activity while ensuring the safety of the students." He noted that the implementation of the reopening plan would be subject to ongoing assessments by the Home Front Command. Meanwhile, Netanyahu rejected a proposal from Smotrich to designate the wartime period as vacation time for teachers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining educational continuity.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
There are discrepancies regarding the availability of bomb shelters in schools. A report from the Knesset Research and Information Center indicated that approximately 14% of Israeli schools lack any protection, while 24% have only partial protection. This raises concerns about the safety of around 466,000 students, or roughly one-quarter of the country's schoolchildren, who may not have adequate shelter during potential attacks.
What's Next
As the situation evolves, the Home Front Command will continue to conduct assessments every few days to determine the safety of reopening schools. Local municipalities, such as Bat Yam, have announced plans to open kindergartens and some in-school teaching, contingent on approval from the IDF Home Front and the Education Ministry. The next assessment is scheduled for later this week, which will influence further decisions regarding the education system's operation during the ongoing conflict.
