Ministry of Education (Israel) facts for kids
| משרד החינוך | |
 Ministry of Education Headquarters |
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1949 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Jurisdiction | Government of Israel |
| Headquarters | Lev Ram Building, Musrara, Jerusalem 31°47′3.97″N 35°13′26.48″E / 31.7844361°N 35.2240222°E |
| Annual budget | 42 billion New Shekel |
| Minister responsible |
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| Agency executive |
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The Ministry of Education (Hebrew: מִשְׂרָד הַחִנּוּךְ, translit. Misrad HaHinukh) is a very important part of the Israeli government. Its main job is to look after all the public schools and educational places in Israel.
This ministry is led by the Minister of Education. This person is a member of the cabinet, which is like the main team of leaders for the country. In the past, this ministry also handled culture and sports. Now, those areas have their own separate ministry.
A Look Back: The Ministry's History
When Israel first became a country in 1948, the education system had a huge task. It needed to create many new kindergartens and schools. This was for a student population that was growing super fast.
For example, in 1949, there were about 80,000 elementary school students. Just one year later, in 1950, this number jumped to 120,000! This was a 50 percent increase in a very short time. Israel also started taking care of education for Arab schoolchildren.
The first Minister of Education was Zalman Shazar. He later became the president of Israel.
Since 2002, the Ministry of Education has given out a special National Education Award. This award goes to cities or towns that do an excellent job. It recognizes places that put a lot of effort and money into their school systems.
In 2012, the Shomron Regional Council won first place. Other winners included Or Yehuda, Tiberias, Eilat, and Beersheba. This award is given to different types of schools, from kindergartens to elementary schools.
Working with Schools: Outside Programs
In 2013–2014, the Ministry of Education started to manage how outside groups work in state schools. They talked with local governments, parents, businesses, and charities. This was to make sure these programs were helpful and well-organized.
The Ministry even created a list of approved outside programs. These programs had to work closely with the Ministry's main office. This helped ensure quality and proper partnerships.
In 2019, some groups had a disagreement with the Ministry. They felt that new rules reduced support for their activities in schools. In 2021, a court ruled that the Ministry needed to change its approach. The court stressed how important it is to follow guidelines for teaching about Judaism in schools.
Leaders of Education: The Ministers
Many different people have served as the Minister of Education over the years. These ministers are in charge of guiding the country's education system. They make important decisions about schools, teachers, and what students learn.
The role of the minister has sometimes included culture and sport. However, the main focus has always been on education. Each minister works to improve learning for all students in Israel.
