Summary of the principal laws relating to education
(Source: Ministry of Education)
1. COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW, 1949
According to this law, compulsory education applies to all children between
the ages of 3 and 15 (grade 10) inclusive. This education is provided free of
charge throughout the entire system from age 5. In addition, the law provides
for free education for adolescents aged 16 and 17, as well as for 18-year-olds
who did not complete their schooling in grade 11 in accordance with the
curriculum. The state is responsible for providing free compulsory education
under this law.
Maintenance of official educational institutions, however, is the joint
responsibility of the state and the local education authority. Parents have the
right to choose one of the recognized educational trends for their children.
Important additions to the original version of this law include a prohibition
against discrimination on the grounds of ethnic origin, a prohibition against
discrimination in acceptance, placement, and advancement of pupils, as well
as a prohibition against punishing pupils for actions or omissions on the part
of their parents.
2. STATE EDUCATION LAW, 1953
This law determines guiding principles with regard to the content and
procedures of State education and provides for a six-day school week.
State education is defined as education provided by the state on the basis of
the curriculum approved by the Minister of Education, without attachment to
a party, communal body, or other non-government organization, and is
under the supervision of the Minister of Education. The law outlines the
objectives of State education with regard to universal values; the values of
Israel's society and heritage; remembrance of the Holocaust and heroism;
development of the child's personality, abilities and creativity; various
disciplines of knowledge, science and the arts; physical activity; and culture
and recreation.
The State education system consists of two trends: "State education" and
"State-religious education." This law enables the Minister of Education to
approve, at the request of 75 percent of the parents, an additional institutional
curriculum comprising up to 25 percent of the existing curriculum, or an
additional curriculum financed by the local authority or by the parents.
3. THE COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION LAW, 1958
The law defines the tasks of the Council for Higher Education - the State
institution for matters of higher education in Israel: To make proposals for the
advancement of scientific research and regarding the establishment of further
institutions of higher education; to accredit an institution as an institution of
higher education subject to government approval; to grant permits for the
opening and maintenance of higher education institutions; to empower
recognized institutions to award academic titles; and to make proposals for
the enlargement, improvement and mutual cooperation of higher education
institutions in the fields of teaching and research.
In addition, the law grants accredited institutions the liberty to conduct their
academic and administrative affairs, within the framework of their budget, as
they see fit. This includes determining research and teaching programs,
appointing the institution's authorities, appointing teachers, teaching and
study methods, etc.
The Minister of Education acts as Chairman of the Council, whose members
are appointed by the President of Israel.
4. SCHOOL INSPECTION LAW, 1968
This law states that opening and operating a school requires a license. The
law regulates the conditions under which schools that are not part of the
official State education system may obtain licenses, and contains provisions
for their establishment and operation.
5. SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW, 1988
According to this law, the purpose of special education is to advance and
develop the abilities and potential of disabled children, to correct and
improve their physical, mental, psychological, and behavioral performance,
to convey knowledge, skills, and habits and to adapt them to behavior
acceptable to society, for the purpose of becoming part of that society and
being integrated in the world of work. The law provides for special education
for individuals between the ages of 3 and 21 - teaching and systematic
learning and treatment, including physiotherapy, speech therapy,
occupational therapy and other treatments as they may be defined.
6. LONG SCHOOL DAY AND ENRICHMENT STUDIES LAW, 1997
The purpose of this law is to add study and education hours to the existing
hours in educational institutions.
The Long School Day will be applied as follows:
Four days a week - eight study hours at least.
One weekday, except Friday - five study hours at most.
Friday - four study hours at most.
The Minister of Education may, with the approval of the Education and
Culture Committee of the Knesset, prescribe a different number of study
hours for the Long School Day in certain educational institutions or study
classes, provided that the number of weekly study hours shall not be less
than 41 hours.
Beginning with the 1997/98 school year, the law is gradually being
implemented, according to priorities set by the Minister.