In Israel, students have access to free middle school education. However, dozens of middles schools around the country are now mandating parents to invest extra money to purchase a computer for their child. It is now required for parents to either totally or partially purchase a notebook so that their child can participate in classes that depend on technology. These computers can cost up to thousands of shekels.
Schools have stated that, before putting the program into effect, they had taken into account students’ different economic backgrounds. Families that cannot afford a computer will be given discount and subsidies.
However, parents are less than impressed with the new program, even with their discounts. They argue that schools shouldn’t be demanding and requiring computers in order to participate in the classrooms. Tension is growing between the schools and parents, especially as parents complain that schools are insisting strenuously on the new program.
“We demanded that the school not involve the children, but in fact, they are coming home to their parents and saying that at school they were told they have to ‘shake their parents so they will wake up and hurry up and pay,’” said a parent from Ra’anana. “One father told me his child came home saying that at school he was told his parents object and they wanted to know why. The children are afraid they will be ostracized if they don’t have a computer.”
In response to the new program, parents have been protesting against the school’s administrations that are required them to purchase computers. A school action committee has been formed to represent parents against the program. They are mainly focusing on the issue of the high financial investment that is needed to purchase the computers and doubt over the educational advantage that computers would ultimately give their children. Parents have argued that in order to use these discounts and subsidies, schools only directed to one specific vendor. Also, schools wouldn’t allow them to use the computer that they already own, due to a lack of proper programs. The action committee stated that the school would also require parents to pay additional fees for the computer such as purchasing digital books and future repairs.
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Written by Sera Yoo