Ministry Bans Student Jewish Agency Trips to U.S. During School Year
Source: Haaretz
As of next month, Israeli elementary and high schools will no longer be allowed to send students and teachers on delegations outside Israel during the school year, the Education Ministry recently said. The decision - which does not apply to trips to Poland and international competitions - is expected to affect the Partnership 2000 exchange program, in which dozens of delegations of Israeli pupils visit the United States through cooperation between the Jewish Agency and various Jewish federations.
In line with the Ministry's policy of maximum usage of class hours for formal study, it was decided to allow organized student exchange trips during the vacations from school only. The high cost of financing student trips also prevented many students from participating in them. However, they also missed regular studies during the time their classmates were abroad.