_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Committee on the Rights of the Child
Sixty-third session
27 May – 14 June 2013
Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the combined second, third and fourth periodic reports of Israel (CRC/C/ISR/2-4)
Addendum
Written replies of Israel*
________________
* In accordance with the information transmitted to States parties regarding the processing of their reports, the present document was not edited.
Part I
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 1, of the list of issues
a. Legislation enacted to expressly prohibit discrimination within the jurisdiction of the State party
1. The principle of equality is a fundamental principle in the Israeli legal system as apparent both in legislation and adjudication.
2. The Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty protects basic guarantees of personal liberty within the framework of Israel's Jewish and democratic character. The goal of the Basic Law is “to defend Human Dignity and Liberty, in order to establish in a Basic Law the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic State.”
3. Just as the Israeli legislature crafts and adopts both new laws and administrative measures to ensure that government agencies adhere to the principle of equality and do not engage in any discriminatory act or practice, the country’s independent judiciary serves to interpret, guide, and enforce these measures.
4. This judicial effort is also guided by the Supreme Court, which plays a pivotal role in the promotion of the principle of equality through the development of jurisprudence dealing with contentious and highly charged political and security-related issues.
5. Section 144B of the Penal Law 5737-1977 (the “Penal Law”) provides for a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment for a person who publishes with the intent to incite to racism, and Section 144D of the Penal Law provides for a penalty of up to one year imprisonment for a person who holds such a publication with the intent to publish it. Racism is defined in the Law as “persecution, humiliation, vilification, the display of enmity or violence, or the causing of animosity towards a community or parts of the population, by reason of color, racial origin or national-ethnic origin”.
6. Section 144C of the Law further prohibits publication or dissemination of materials with the intent to incite to racism, even if ineffectual in result. The punishment is up to five years imprisonment.
7. Sections 144D2 and 144D3 of the Penal Law criminalize the publication of a call for acts of violence or terrorism or even praise, support or encouragement for such an act, support or identification with it, where the call is likely to lead to violence.
8. An amendment dated November 2004, inserted a section titled “Hate Offences” – consisting of Section 144F – “Offences motivated by racism or hostility towards the public – under “aggravated circumstances” which set the punishment to be emitted by the Court to be either double the penalty set to certain offences or ten years imprisonment, the lesser of the two. This applies if the offence was performed out of racist motives against a population due to religion, religious group, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or due to them being migrant workers.
9. In addition, Section 133 of the Penal Law prohibits the encouragement of hatred between different sections of the population. It carries a punishment of up to five years imprisonment.
10. In accordance with Section 46(a)(2) of the Second Authority for Television and Radio Law 5750-1990, and Section 6(25) of the Telecommunications Law (Bezeq and Broadcasts) 5742-1982 (the “Telecommunications Law”), the holders of licenses and concessions for cable TV services must not transmit any broadcast which contains racial incitement. They are further bound to take any measure necessary to ensure that no broadcast is liable to incite to discrimination on grounds of religion, race, nationality, gender, ethnic background, lifestyle or origin. The Telecommunications Law further stipulates under Section 6(57) that this obligation also applies to satellite broadcasts.
11. The defamation of any group as such, including national, racial or religious groups, is prohibited by law (Section 4 of the Prohibition of Defamation Law5725-1965).
12. The Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance 5708-1948, addresses individuals supporting a terrorist organization. Section 4(b) stipulates that a person, either verbally or in writing, publicly praises, favors, or calls for support or assistance to a terrorist organization will be charged with committing an offence. Accordingly, several racist organizations were declared terrorist organizations.
13. The legal position with respect to discrimination in the private sector has changed dramatically due to the enactment of the Prohibition of Discrimination in Products, Services and in Entry into Places of Entertainment and Public Places Law 5761-2000 (the “Prohibition of Discrimination in Products, Services and in Entry into Places of Entertainment and Public Places Law”). The enactment of the Law has substantially limited the possibility of discrimination occurring in the private sector. Section 3 of the Law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion or religious affiliation, nationality, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, views, political affiliation, personal status or physical disability in the provision of public products or services, and in the permission of entrance to a public place, by an individual who provides such products or services, or operates a public place. Violation of this prohibition is both a civil tort and a criminal offence, and according to Section 5(a) of the Law, the Tort Ordinance applies to such civil torts. Moreover, Section 5(b) allows the court to grant compensation of no more than 50,000 NIS (US$ 13,785), without requiring proof of damage, as a result of a violation of this Law. Section 11 applies the provisions of this law to the State, and has been interpreted broadly as applying to a host of public places, including schools, libraries, pools, stores, and all other places serving the public. The following are two recent examples of court decisions implementing the Law:
14. On November 10, 2011, the Tel-Aviv Magistrate Court accepted a suit filed by a man, claiming he was refused to enter a nightclub in Tel-Aviv due to his skin color. The Court stated that the club violated the Law, since no rational reason regarding the prevention of entrance was given. Moreover, the respondents has failed to prove that their business' policy do not constitute prohibited practice of costumers discrimination on the grounds of race and/or origin, as required by the Law. The Court stated that according to the Law, the club's owners are liable for the violation, since they did not prove they have taken reasonable steps to prevent discriminative behavior at their business. The Court awarded the plaintiff compensation of 17,000 NIS (US$ 4,687) (C.M. 969-03-11 Jacob Horesh v. Tesha Bakikar LTD (10.11.11)).
15. On September 23, 2011, the Hadera Magistrate Court accepted a suit filed by two men, who claimed they were discriminated at the entry to a nightclub due to their dark skin color. The plaintiffs based their argument on the Prohibition of Discrimination in Products, Services and in Entry into Places of Entertainment and Public Places Law and demanded to be compensated by the respondents. The Court stated that the fact that the plaintiffs were prevented from entering the club, while their fair-skinned friend entered with no delay, establishes the presumption set by the Law, according to which they were discriminated by the respondents. The Court further stated that the respondents did not manage to contradict the presumption that they apply discriminative attitude toward the plaintiffs, yet their general entry policy was not questioned within the statement of claims. Therefore, the Court ruled that the plaintiffs are entitled to a relative compensation of NIS 15,000 each (US$ 4,135). (C.C 46945-05-10 Ziv Sayag et. al. v. Key Entrepreneurship Art of Recreation and Leisure LTD et. al (23.9.11)).
b. Legislation, policies and programmes to prevent discrimination, against Arab Israeli, Bedouins, Ethiopians and other minorities
16. The State of Israel constantly invests extensive efforts in promoting equality between the various population and streams (both in the Jewish and Arab populations) and to bridge the gaps between the different populations.
Human Rights Education
17. The Ministry of Education attaches great importance to human rights education and to raising awareness to human rights in general. The Ministry has on its website a special page titled “Pupil's Rights” that presents the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Optional Protocol regarding Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (CRC-OP-AC) and the Optional Protocol on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (CRC-OP-SC). The CRC Convention is published on the Ministry's website in several languages, in addition to child-friendly versions published in several languages, including Hebrew. In addition the Ministry has on its website other human rights treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and others.
18. In 2011, the Ministry of Education drafted a child-Friendly version of the CRC, which was distributed to every school in the system, as part of an educational commitment to the rights anchored in the Convention by the Ministry of Education. The pupils that took part in this project established, along with UNICEF-Israel, youth groups titled “Rights Trustees”, aimed at informing the public of the rights enclosed in the Convention and aimed at implementing its provisions in wider aspects of their lives.
19. All of the Human Rights Conventions and Protocols Israel is a party to can be found on the web site of the Ministry of Justice in Hebrew, English, and Arabic. Also, the full body of work with the Human Rights Bodies – reports, list of issues, replies, concluding observations etc., can also be found on the web site of the Ministry of Justice.
20. Educational programs concerning human rights issues are routinely conducted throughout the country. Israel has developed special programs such as an annual “Human Rights Day”. Each year, “Human Rights Day” is dedicated to a different aspect of human rights, and a relevant curriculum and teaching material is developed in both Arabic and Hebrew.
21. An additional program developed by the Ministry of Education is titled “Sachten”, targeting pupils throughout Israel, of all religions, aimed at best notifying the pupils of the rights enshrined in the Convention as part of civil leadership in the community.
22. The Ministry of Education routinely operates Gender Equality programs of 20 to 28 two-hour sessions within the education system (these programs are also conducted to teachers (a 30 to 60 hour programs) and in colleges and universities (112 hour program). In 2011, 988 groups of 28,627 (52.8% of the Arab population) pupils and 1,529 teachers participated in these programs. These sessions also include activities with the pupils' parents.
23. The Gender Equality in Education Department in the Ministry of Education routinely operates workshops and seminars for pupils and staff. The 2010-2011 total annual budget according to the Department stood at 4,140,000 NIS (US$ 1,141,439). Among the activities: seminars 440,000 NIS (US$ 121,312), training days 580,000 NIS (US$ 159,911), different projects 2,070,000 NIS (US$ 570,719), national conference 900,000 NIS (US$ 248,138) etc.
24. The Department also operated a program titled “Prevention of Trafficking in Women and Prostitution” for pupils and teachers, that included development of lessons plans, conducting conferences and workshops etc., with a total budget of 206,000 (US$ 56,796).
25. Since 2005, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with several NGOs and the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, has sponsored the simulation program “Israel Model United Nations” (IMUN), with the participation of numerous Jerusalem based high-schools from all parts of the city and all segments of society. The project strives to expose participants to the United Nations' activities, raising awareness of the major challenges confronting the global arena, whilst instilling a spirit of tolerance and inter-cultural dialogue. Forming part of the well-established Model United Nations program that operates extensively throughout the world, the program goes some way towards improving the image of the United Nations in Israel.
c. Steps taken to follow up on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
26. Israel fully supports the international struggle against racism. The Jewish people have been a victim of racism throughout history. For that reason, Israel, like many other states, regretted that the Durban Conference of 2001 and the subsequent conference of 2009, which were meant to deal with the important subject of elimination of racism were diverted and politicized. Instead of truly discussing the international struggle against racism and xenophobia, those conferences served as a platform to denigrate Israel. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action themselves were unfortunately full with anti-Semitic undertones, singled out the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and displayed hatred for Israel and Jews. Therefore, Israel and other responsible states have been forced to abstain from any participation in the Conferences or their concluding documents.
27. However, Israel shares many of the important anti-racism principles which were also raised during those conferences and in other international instruments. Indeed, both prior to the international initiative of 2001, and consistently in the years since, Israel makes tremendous efforts to promote the fight against all forms of racism, hate crimes, xenophobia and anti-Semitism around the world.
28. Among its varied activities, Israel signed and ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in 1979 and reports regularly to its Committee on the measure it takes to comply with the Convention's provisions. Israel is a leader within the Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism, which is scheduled to convene for the Fourth time in Jerusalem on May 2013.
29. In addition, Israel partners with European states an annual Israel-EU seminar on the fight against anti-Semitism and xenophobia, which will meet for the seventh time in 2013. Both Israel and the EU assign great importance to this seminar, which reflects a common struggle against the scourges of anti-Semitism and xenophobia.
30. Israel's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, OSCE and International Organizations in Vienna lends its support as a Partner Country to the work being done by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on tolerance and non-discrimination and closely cooperates with the Personal Representative to the Chair-in-Office of the OSCE on combating Anti-Semitism, Rabbi Andrew Baker.
31. Israel also raises awareness to the fight against all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism through regular participation in international conferences and lectures and by funding education programs on Holocaust remembrance, with the cooperation of United Nations institutions and “Yad Vashem” institute.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 2(a), of the list of issues
32. Children of foreigners born in Israel receive an official document that confirms the birth of the child. This document includes the mother's name but not the father's. A birth certificate is given only to a person that is registered in the population registry (according to the Population Registry Law 5725-1965).
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 2(b), of the list of issues
33. Palestinian children that were born in the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem – Palestinians that are registered in the West Bank, similar to other foreigners, receive an official document that confirms the birth of the child. If both parents are residents of the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem, the child will receive residency status according to his/her parents' status. In the case that one of the parents is a permanent resident and the other is not, the child receives his/her status according to his habitual residence and the status of the parent he/she is living with. The decision concerning the child's habitual residence will be determined after receiving the appropriate data from relevant sources including the National Insurance Institution concerning the previous two years.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 2(c), of the list of issues
34. The International Convention on the Rights of the Child (hereinafter: “CRC” or “the Convention”) is implemented by the Government throughout the State of Israel. According to the Israeli legal system, international conventions, as opposed to customary international law, do not apply directly, but through national legislation. Such is the case with the CRC which is implemented through a wide range of legal instruments, such as basic laws, laws, orders and regulations, municipal bylaws, and court rulings.
35. The applicability of the Convention to the West Bank has been the subject of considerable debate in recent years. In its Periodic Reports, Israel did not refer to the implementation of the Convention in these areas for several reasons, ranging from legal considerations to the practical reality.
36. The relationship between different legal spheres, primarily the Law of Armed Conflict and Human Rights Law remains a subject of serious academic and practical debate. For its part, Israel recognizes that there is a profound connection between human rights and the Law of Armed Conflict, and that there may well be a convergence between these two bodies-of-law in some respects. However, in the current state of international law and state-practice worldwide, it is Israel's view that these two systems-of-law, which are codified in separate instruments, nevertheless remain distinct and apply in different circumstances.
37. Furthermore, Israel has never made a specific declaration in which it reserved the right to extend the applicability of the Convention with respect to the West Bank. Clearly, in line with basic principles of interpretation of treaty law, and in the absence of such a voluntarily-made declaration, the Convention, which is a territorially bound Convention, does not apply, nor was it intended to apply, to areas outside its national territory.
38. As for family reunification between Israeli citizens with foreign spouses, on July 31, 2003, the Knesset adopted the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law (Temporary Provision) 5763- 2003 (the “Citizenship Law”) which restricts family reunification of Israeli citizens with Palestinian spouses living in the West Bank or Gaza strip or with spouses living in several enemy states.
39. The Law was initially enacted for a period of one year. In view of the continued security threat it has been renewed at regular intervals. The Law was amended in 2005 and again in 2007 in to order expand the humanitarian exceptions contained in it.
40. The Law's constitutionality has been scrutinized and upheld by the Supreme Court sitting in an extended panel of eleven judges. A number of petitions on the legality of the Law were rejected.
41. On May 14, 2006 the High Court of Justice upheld the Citizenship Law. An expanded panel of 11 justices split six to five in rejecting petitions to overturn the Law. The majority ruled that the law does not harm Israelis' constitutional rights, stating that if the law does to some extent cause such harm, it was proportional (H.C.J. 7052/03 Adalah – the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel et. al. v. The Minister of Interior et. al.).
42. On January 11, 2012, the High Court of Justice published its decision to reject a petition against the legality of the Citizenship Law. Six of the extended panel of eleven judges found the law to be constitutional. It is important to note that both the majority and the minority decisions determined that the purpose of the law is to mitigate the security threat posed by terrorist organizations seeking to harm Israeli citizens. The majority judgments also held that, given this purpose, the law is proportional in that it is a rational means to attaining this end and that the security benefits of the law outweigh the negative impact of the restrictions that it places on family unification (H.C.J. 466/07, 544/07, 830/07, 5030/07 MK Zehava Galon et. al. v. The Minister of Interior et. al.).
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 3, of the list of issues
43. In Israel, every person is entitled to basic health services, resulting from the constitutional right to life and dignity. Basic health services refers to medical services which are required to protect life and health that include emergency medical services provided to every person in Israel including persons whose status have not yet been approved.
44. Even though the National Health Insurance Law 5754-1994, does not apply to minors without a permanent status, an arrangement that was set according to that law and Patient's Rights Law 5756-1996 (the “Patient's Rights Law”), to provide an adequate answer to the medical needs of these minors.
45. There are three main alternatives for health services provided for minors without permanent status in Israel:
(a) Through a special arrangement done between the Government and “Meuchedet” Health Fund providing health services for non-residents minors who reside in Israel. These services are partly subsidized by the Government and require self-participation of the minor's guardian.
(b) The clinic in southern Tel Aviv for illegal foreigners and foreign workers, whom do not receive state health insurance. The clinic is funded by the Ministry of Health and provides complete medical services.
(c) Emergency health services provided to every person in Israel according to the Patient's Rights Law. This law stipulates that an adequate basic health services shall be provided to every person in Israel when in situation of danger to life or severe disability, and further prohibits discrimination in providing these services on the basis of religion, race, gender, nationality, country of origin, sexual inclination etc.
46. These alternatives provide the basic rights granted to every person reside in Israel, including non-residence minors, regardless of their residency status. These arrangements reflect the balance between the State duty to provide basic health services for all persons residing in its territory, the State's commitment towards its permanent residents and the limited financial resources available for health purposes.
47. The above mentioned arrangement is not flawless since in exceptional cases, there may be minors that cannot meet its requirements (such as minors who's guardians cannot afford to pay their part of the health payments), but even in these cases these minors are entitled to emergency medical care when needed. However, the arrangement satisfies the State's basic duty towards these minors, and their basic rights for basic health services are met according to reasonable standards.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 4, of the list of issues
48. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services is guided by the principals of the CRC convention. There are 826 registered social workers (the Specially Appointed Social Workers) working within the framework of the Youth Law (Care and Supervision) 5720-1960 (the “Youth Law”). In 2012, 70 new Specially Appointed Social Workers had just completed their training.
49. In recent years, in order to promote the gathering of data and its organization, the supervisors of the Specially Appointed Social Workers and the “Haruv” institute have initiated a process of gathering data from the localities that reflect the reports and the work done by the social workers when receiving the cases.
Table 1
Data on reported minors that are treated by social services
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
|
Total number of reports |
33,751 |
35,632 |
38,737 |
|
Physical violence |
12,305 |
12,679 |
13,763 |
|
Sexual violence |
5,275 |
5,157 |
5,837 |
|
Neglect |
12,580 |
13,273 |
14,455 |
|
Reports to the Police |
7,315 |
7382 |
7,457 |
|
Referral to an exemption committee |
1,666 |
1588 |
1,753 |
|
Emergency injunctions |
747 |
735 |
745 |
|
Number of minors in need of assistance according to the law |
8,476 |
9,521 |
11,175 |
|
Supervision injunctions |
3,081 |
3,422 |
3,971 |
|
Injunctions for a child to be taken out his/her home |
5,755 |
4,844 |
6,845 |
|
Treatment according to the law |
13,018 |
14,445 |
16,503 |
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, April 2013
Duty to Report
50. In order to protect minors, there is a legislated duty to report offenses committed against minors. Section 368D of the Penal Law provides that the following offenses committed against minors by a person responsible for the minor, must be reported to a welfare officer or to the Police:
(a) Prostitution and obscenity offense under Sections 199, 201, 202, 203, 203B, 203C, 205A and 214(B1);
(b) An offense of endangering life and health under Section 337;
(c) A sexual offense under Sections 345, 346, 347, 347A, 348 and 351;
(d) An offense of abandonment or neglect under Sections 361 and 362;
(e) An offense of assault or abuse under Sections 368B and 368C;
(f) An offense of trafficking in persons under Section 377A.
51. The duty to report is imposed on any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that such a crime was committed, on a person in charge of the minor, on a professional (physician, nurse, educator, social worker, social welfare employee, policeman, psychologist, criminologist, a paramedic, a director or staff member of a home or institution in which minors or persons under care live) in the course of his/her professional activity or responsibility. Violation of this duty constitutes an offense punishable by three to six months' imprisonment.
52. Since the enactment of the duty to report, the number of reports has increased immensely. A social and professional change has occurred due to the duty to report, and now professionals have access to thousands of children and are able to provide them with the appropriate treatment.
53. The Exemption Committee – With the duty to report to the Police, the legislator enacted a complimentary statutory system that one can request an exemption from reporting to the Police in order to avoid opening a criminal procedure. This system allows flexibility and avoidance of police involvement in cases were there could be risk to the lives of the children or other people. It also allows rehabilitating the family in cases when the professionals think that that the criminal process could do more harm to the functionality of the family and would be against the child's best interest.
54. In the community, services are provided aiming to assist parents with their children in order to decrease the neglect and abuse cases.
55. The Assistance to Sex Violence Minor Crime Victims' Law 5769-2008 (the Assistance Law) is gradually being implemented. This law adds the right of a child victim of a sexual or violence crime to receive immediate assistance in a crisis center designated by the Minister of Social Affairs and Social Services particularly for this purpose. In these centres, all the relevant functionaries (a physician, juvenile investigator, and Specially Appointed Social Workers , a representative from the juvenile department, the Police, and a prosecutor) are under one roof, working in coordination as a team, which provides a better perspective of the child needs, his/her family's needs and the best interest of the child. Such centres are intended to provide initial treatment in:
‾ Diagnosis and medical care.
‾ Providing for the victim's immediate and essential needs, including food and clothing.
‾ Setting up a meeting with a child investigator, a police investigator, a social worker or any other agent as needed based on the situation at hand.
‾ Referring the victim to the Ministry of Justice's Legal Aid Branch, appropriate medical, health, and/or psychological care, and emergency centres for long-term treatment.
56. The Assistance Law determined that eight Assistance Centres will be established nationwide. Two were built in Jerusalem and in the Sheba hospital in Ramat-Gan. Another two are currently being built in Haifa and Be'er-Sheva and four more are to be built in 2013 in Safed, Nazareth, Netanya and Ashkelon.
Table 2
Data on Sexually Abused Children and Youth in Protection Centres
|
Jerusalem |
Sheba |
|||
|
Years |
2010 |
2011 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Total of investigations |
418 |
477 |
310 |
312 |
|
Sexual assaults Male: Female: |
184 163 |
200 217 |
43 96 |
89 145 |
|
Inside the family Outside the family |
81 266 |
90 327 |
39 100 |
64 179 |
|
Physical abuse |
71 |
60 |
22 |
45 |
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, April 2013
57. Specially Appointed Social Workers receive reports about sexual assaults of minors with accordance to the duty to report. From the data received, there was a rise in the amount of reports about sexually assaults of minors, sexual assault within the family and without. In 2009, 5,275 children were reported, in 2010, 5,025 children were reported and 2011, 5,837 children were reported. In response to the increase in the amount of children that were sexually abused and the lack of appropriate treatment services, the state of Israel has taken upon itself to provide available and accessible treatment to children and youth that have been sexually assaulted. The treatment is provided both to the child and to his/her family.
58. In addition, a national inter-ministerial program, headed by Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, in cooperation with the At-Risk Children foundations in the National Insurance Institution and the Rashi foundation, organized a project dedicated to the prevention, education and detection of sexually assaulted children. This project is based on 12 regional centres with branches in localities nationwide. The project is accompanied by research and is aimed at providing immediate, accessible and adaptable treatment to the sexually assaulted child until the age of 18. In addition, the project focuses on the development of detection, prevention and training of all the professionals in the community, creating an array of the best treatment that should be provided to all children, inter-ministerial coordination and cooperation of NGOs is geared towards designing an appropriate policy.
59. Between the years 2010-2011 approximately 5,000 children, youth and family members were treated in Assistance Centres and in the community.
Emergency Centres
60. There are 11 emergency centres that operate nationwide for children and their family members that consist of two types of emergency units that co-exist side by side. The Internal unit (in boarding school conditions) and the External Unit (the child resides with his/her family). The centres provide a unique response for children that are victims of abuse or neglect and for their family members. The emergency centres were built with cultural sensitivity to religion, ethnicity and age. The purposes of the internal unit is to remove the children away from the source of danger; to assess the child and parents' situation and their capability of functioning; to provide a treatment plan for the child and parents within the community or in and out of home placement (boarding school or foster care); to make an integrative assessment of the situation with all the social workers on the case.
61. There are eight external units (out of the 11) that operate as consultation units. The external units, after making the assessment, that it is safe for the child to stay in his/her home, treats the “abusive” family. The unit can provide services for 40 families simultaneously. In order to make these centres accessible to families that live in rural areas, branches of these emergency units were opened in the periphery. The goals of the external unit are the following: to provide coping methods for children and parents in high risk situations while the child is still staying in the home and to promote the ability of service providers in the community to interfere in emergency cases of family crisis or child abuse.
62. In 2011, 388 children were treated in the 11 internal units of the emergency shelters.
63. In 2011, 820 children were treated in the eight external (consultation) units of the emergency centres.
64. Emergency foster families- Toddlers and pre-school pupils at risk are transferred to emergency foster families that were designated and prepared for that purpose for immediate protection in emergency situations. The children can stay in these foster families for a period of up to three months. The continuing treatment depends on the age of the child, the situation of the biological family and its capacity to care for the child's needs in the future (provide a permanent home). During 2012, through a pilot program, designated units were established to assess the mobility of the child and his/her biological family. The purpose of the units is to evaluate and recommend the continuation plan of the child in the emergency foster family in order to decrease the period of stay and assist with the decision-making.
65. Emergency boarding schools – There are five emergency boarding schools that are located in the Center, Jerusalem and the South. In 2012, an additional emergency boarding school was added in the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem on the basis of the need to give an appropriate response to at risk children in the area. There are plans to increase the budget, the amount of children per boarding school and to place the at risk children according to designated boarding schools (adolescents, treatment characteristics and so forth).
The Ministry of Education
66. The Ministry of Education has a very clear policy with regards to the prevention of abuse and neglect of children. This policy is based on the State's laws and is adapted to the distinctive needs of the education system. This policy provides instructions for the educational teams on how to treat such cases in an orderly manner. The initial stage is detecting the pupils that are in potential risk of being abused or have endured some sort of abuse. The next stage is reporting the suspicion to social services or the Police and treating the particular case.
67. The policy emphasizes reporting the incidents and expanding the knowledge of the educators in methods of detection and treating the children professionally once the abuse or neglect is detected. The relevant directives include: information about the Israeli Penal Law, the process of reporting to the Specially Appointed Social Workers, engagement of the school from the detection of abuse or neglect, providing information about the child's treatment and process to the education system, social services and the Police.
68. In order to implement this policy, prior to the beginning of every school year, teachers undergo training sessions about detection of abuse and the proper treatment. The advisors and psychologists are responsible for these training sessions. Educational counselors are obligated to go through a special training regarding sexual abuse in order to obtain a license.
69. In the education system, within the psychological service unit, there is a specially designated unit for sexuality and the prevention of sexual offenses against children and youth. The unit employs advisors and psychologists that specialize in child abuse and they guide their co-workers, the advisors and educational psychologists that treat these issues. The unit works countrywide and serves all of segments of Israeli population.
70. The education system is one of the main sources of reports to the Specially Appointed Social Workers on relevant cases.
71. In Addition to efforts made to detect abuse or neglect of children, many multi-level processes took place in many regions whether operated by the Ministry of Education or with the Ministry's cooperation. The leading programs in these processes were: teaching civil responsibility in high school; an open table program (supervised discussions between parents and children); lectures for teachers and principals; developing material about pupils' rights and the protection of children; protection devices (a program developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Public Defender's Office regarding to the rights of a minor in the criminal procedure). The program is in a trial phase and was provided to 400,000 pupils to date and was found to be effective in preventing vandalism and in detecting minors in the midst of a criminal procedure or before that stage); suspension of violent pupils; fair process when conducting an expulsion hearing, disciplinary hearing to principals who were found to be negligent with their pupils; conducting a film festival on the subject of children's rights (around 10,000 pupils from all populations come to the festival every year).
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 5, of the list of issues
72. A wide range of measures are utilized to enforce the legal prohibition of corporal punishment towards minors within the family, schools or detention facilities. These are the major measures taken:
In the family
‾ Domestic violence offenses towards minors within the family or violence by other people responsible for the minor, are serious crimes that demand unique police involvement, both in enforcement and in protecting the minor and ensuring his/her safety.
‾ The Penal Law includes a duty to report with regards to specific sections that relate to sex offenses and violence towards minors, as elaborated in response to Question #4.
‾ Internal police procedures decree that the Police treatment of violence offenses against minors by people responsible for the minor within the family and in education institutions and treatment facilities. According to the procedure, there is a duty to consult with social worker of the local community (where the minor lives) and there is a duty to report to the social worker in relevant cases. In addition there is a duty for swift treatment and taking special precautions when working with minors in order to avoid additional harm.
In school
73. The educational system is responsible for the minors' security and safety whilst they are in school. If information is received about the possibility of corporal punishment or if a complaint is made, the Police are obligated to open an investigation.
74. There is a sweeping prohibition regarding corporal punishment.
75. The Pupils' Rights Law, 5760 – 2000 (the Pupils' Rights Law) establishes principles regarding pupils rights in order to espouse human dignity and comply with the CRC, while upholding Israel’s education laws. According to this law, a child has a right to education, to participate in matriculation examinations, a right to confidentiality and to realize his or her rights. The Law forbids the following with regard to pupils:
‾ Discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, socio-economic status or political views.
‾ Disciplinary action in the form of corporal punishment or humiliation.
‾ Punishment for something the parent did or failed to do.
‾ Permanent expulsion of the child without allowing the child or parents to explain, appeal or be informed of the results of an appeal.
76. The Directives of the Director General of the Ministry of Education state that the School Code of Conduct should be based on the Pupil's rights Law and anchors the obligation of the education institution to report any suspicion of corporal punishment of a pupil by a teacher. The Directive indicates the offences that require reporting, describes the necessary procedure needed when the suspicion of abuse of a pupil rises, and the treatment of such cases, including issues such as abuse by the director of the institution, separation between pupil and teacher and suspension of the suspected teacher and accompanying the child and his/her parents.
77. In addition to the prohibition of corporal punishment as mentioned above, the Ministry of Education engaged in several activities aimed at raising awareness to the issue. For example:
(a) Many school initiatives were taken as a result of the implementing pupils' and children's rights including parent counsel;
(b) “Steps toward a non-violent society” – a seminar was held in 2010 in Tel Aviv University, attended by the Chief Justice of the Youth Courts, principals, teachers, pupils, head of UNICEF Israel, representative of UNICEF from its Head Office in Geneva and prominent members of the Knesset, dealing with issues of children's rights. The pamphlet of the seminar was sent to principals nationwide to promote school procedures against corporal punishment, physical, degrading or inappropriate punishment;
(c) The Convention on the rights of the child was distributed to pupils throughout the education system in four languages: Hebrew, Arabic, English and Russian.
In detention
78. There is no corporal punishment within the Police or the Israel Prisons Service (IPS) neither toward minors nor adults.
79. In Detention facilities and prisons, all forms of corporal punishment are prohibited.
80. Every prisoner or detainee under the care of the IPS has access to the following complaint mechanisms concerning grievances regarding the staff and wardens', including claims of wrongful use of force or corporal punishment:
‾ filing a complaint to the Prison Director.
‾ petitioning the relevant District Court in a prisoner's petition.
‾ filing a complaint to the Warden's Investigation Unit (WIU), through the IPS or directly to the Unit.
‾ filing a complaint to the Prisoners Complaint Ombudsman.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 6, of the list of issues
81. The placement of children and youth in out of home placements are based on the following principle: as long as alternatives exist within the community, the possibility of taking a child out of his/her home should be avoided. However, there are cases when it is inevitable to take the child out of his/her home for a short or long period of time and it is the most appropriate possibility to fill his/her needs under the circumstances.
82. A child growing up with his/her biological family promises his/her normal development; therefore efforts are made to develop tools to assist the family with raising their children. In certain cases these efforts are fruitless and taking these children or youth to an out of home placement becomes a necessary alternative for their healthy development and at times even for their safety. For these children, the out of home treatment is intended to insure a framework suitable for their needs and development, for educating them to the life of an independent adult.
83. The decision to take a child out of his/her home and place him/her in an out-of-home placement is a very grave one. A child will be referred to an out of home placement for reasons that concern him/her or his/her family, that place his/her life at risk and do not permit his/her normal development. The decision is made by a professional committee called “The Committee of Planning, Treatment and Assessment” (hereinafter: the Committee)
84. The Committee formulates a treatment plan for both the child and the parents in order to rehabilitate the parents' function, so the child will be able to return home. The decision is made with the cooperation of the child and his/her parents. The Committee's duty is to determine the appropriate treatment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child. In cases where there is no cooperation from the child or the parents, the Committee can decide that a Specially Appointed Social Worker needs to refer the case to the Court for a an order to comply with the suggested treatment plan, according to the procedures in the Youth Law. The Court is requested to give specific or general orders for the compliance of the treatment plan. Decisions can be made on a very broad spectrum from taking the children out of their homes to instructing the parents on different matters. The referral is a part of a request for methods of treatment as provided in the Youth Law. In such cases, the Committee continues to outline the treatment plan and supervises its implementation.
85. The policy of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services on the topic of out of home placements is as follows:
86. When the child cannot grow up with his/her parents and there is no plausible chance that he/she will be able to return home, the first preferable option is adoption, Only if this option is not possible, the Committee will look into other options.
Finding suitable foster parents for young children
87. In the case of placement of siblings when there is no suitable solution in a foster family or in several foster families that live in the same area, there is a preference to place the sibling in a group home. A group home is a framework with different age groups; it can accommodate up to 12 children in a house and is run by a biological family (parents and children) with the assistance of therapeutic personnel and external maintenance. When children are taken out of their home in emergency situations, efforts are made to transfer the child to a family unit known as “Emergency foster family”. The Committee in its decisions expresses the policy of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services and makes every effort to find a suitable family–type care placement for the child.
88. Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services operate out of home placements for at risk children and youth that are operated by the Ministry and by public and private organizations. In these organizations there are professional teams that operate unique programs, all of which are supervised by the Ministry.
89. The policy of a permanent home for a child emphasizes the need of the child for continuity. The policy is based on the relationship theory, which sees a safe relationship of the child with his/her caregiver as the basis for a normal development and the child's quality of life in the present and in the future. In order to implement this policy, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services are leading a process of adoption of a child by his/her foster parents which raised him/her since he/she was taken out of his/her home (a continuity between the foster care and adoption). There are identical criterions for becoming a foster parent as for adopting a child.
90. “The Accompanying Family Project” – Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services detected the need to provide with an adequate response to the children “ lacking a family home front” , that are educated in boarding schools of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services. An estimated 10-13% (between 700-1000 children) that can never go home from boarding schools for different reasons: either a home does not exist or the parents place the child in danger. In addition, 30% of the children cannot go home on a regular basis during the holidays (approximately 2,100 children). The professionals created a program in which volunteer families from the community host the children during their holidays. A connection is made between the child and the volunteer family, with time it deepens and will need guidance and family counseling. The family becomes an important role model for the child and provides a positive example for family life. The volunteering families are examined and selected before a child is referred to their home. An effort is made to find a compatible match for the child and family. The selection includes meticulous filters of the family characteristics and the level of enthusiasm and persistence. In addition the volunteering family needs to provide recommendations from the community. The boarding school's staff examines all the family members and conducts house calls. An organized procedure was created on this issue. Every volunteer family must sign a contract stating that it will provide the child with all his/her needs during his/her stay.
91. The Knesset enacted several laws to compare the situation of foster parents to those of biological parents, in order to encourage foster parents to take children into the house without being harmed financially. Additionally, the rights of adopting parents were compared to the rights of biological parents.
‾ Women's labor's Law 5714 -1954, was amended in 2011, applying to adopting parents and foster parents, rules that already applied to biological parents, for example, regarding maternity leave and the prohibition to dismiss a person who declared he/she was in the process of adoption or becoming foster parent.
‾ The National Insurance Law (Consolidated Version, 5755-1995, was amended in 2011 and applied to adopting parents and foster parents the right to receive benefits during maternity leave.
‾ In 2011, the Students' Rights Law 5767- 2007 was amended and the implementing rules were amended in 2012, in a way that eased the burden of students who became foster parents or adopted a child.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 7, of the list of issues
92. The Ministry of Education works to implement the Integration Chapter of the Special Education Law 5748-1988, when integrating children with disabilities in the regular school institution from the age of three.
93. In the recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the amount of children with disabilities integrated in the regular school systems, amongst others: children with autism, children with physical inabilities and cerebral palsy. The Ministry of Education, in its effort to monitor the education of children with disabilities and to implement the Free Education for Sick Children Law 5761-2001, maintains contact between the sick child and the education system in the community and the hospital (at times for months or even years).
94. Within the integration program, the children with disabilities receive direct support from the teachers and additional support from experts that assist in their integration and with the guidance of the teachers in the regular school system. It is important to state that the integration of children with disabilities is closely monitored by the different education agents, in the schools, in the region and in the localities.
95. The Ministry of Education also funds assistances to children with a complicated disability in the amount of 198 Million NIS (US$ 54.5 Million) annually.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 8, of the list of issues
96. The Ministry of Health regards the issue of inequalities in the health care system as one of the most important goals of the Ministry's multiyear plan (the current plan began in 2010).
97. Dealing with these inequalities is of high priority to the Ministry of Health, and this issue is one of the main pillars that will be dealt with in the upcoming years. The Ministry's representatives are also discussing this issue with the representatives of the different health funds in a joint effort to find ways, including through a national action plan.
98. The Ministry operates dozens of intervention plans, promoting the health situation among the Arab population; some of them were highly successful and were even mentioned in professional medical news in Israel and abroad. Note that one third of the Health Advancement Department's budget is dedicated to funding health plans in the Arab population, constituting 20% of the State's population.
99. Hereinafter are several examples of the steps taken by the Ministry of Health in recent years to reduce the inequality between minority populations, including the Arab populations, and the general population:
(a) Canceling the mother and child health care station's fee;
(b) Reduction of the maximum payment rate to chronic elderly patients who receive income supplements;
(c) Providing discount on the purchase of medications to persons over 75 years old;
(d) Reduction of the level of self-participation in purchasing generic medications;
(e) Including dental treatments for children up to the age of 10 in the services included in the basic health basket;
(f) Improving infrastructures in peripheral areas, including additional 1,000 hospital beds and manpower to peripheral hospitals;
(g) Allocation of medical equipment to peripheral areas (among them an MRI machine);
(h) Opening nurses training courses to nurses of the Bedouin population, in order to improve the medical services and overcome language barriers in service provided to the Bedouin population;
(i) Allocation of 13.6 Million NIS (US$ 3.749 Million) in the frame of the five year plan for the Bedouin population in the Negev area, intended for the development of health services and for intervention plans;
(j) Establishment of a medical school in the northern Galilee, and front Emergency Rooms in peripheral localities, both in the north and south of Israel;
(k) Setting norms regarding language accessibility of health services in order to close gaps in language as well as cultural barriers. According to these norms set in a circular of the Ministry of Health' Director General, Arabic is one of the languages in which the health organization are obligated to provide services in.
100. Inequality unfortunately exists in Israel not only between the Arab and Jewish population but among other population and between Israel's central and peripheral areas. The Ministry of Health is operating to decrease this inequality by special programs and activities.
101. The location and size of hospitals are relative to the size of the population. Hospitals are located close to the central Arab population as to the overall population and there is no distinction between the availability to hospitals between the Arab population and the rest of the country's residents. In the south, the Soroka medical center serves the Bedouin population. In addition, hospitals in Hadera, Kfar Saba, Nahariya, Sefad, Poria, Afula, Hadassah, and others are very close and serve the heavily populated Arab areas.
102. There are many Arab-Israelis employed in the health care system, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, who serve mainly in the north and central parts of the country.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 9, of the list of issues, including:
a. Delays of, and interference with, medical personnel and patients at Israeli checkpoints;
b. Shortages of basic medical supplies, including essential medicines; and
The Golan Heights
103. Every citizen and permanent residents of Israel has medical insurance given by the Government. Health Maintenance organizations (HMO's) have opened several medical clinics in all populated areas in the Golan Heights (including private surgical centres). There are no delays in evacuating to hospitals and there are no barricades or checkpoints in the area that could cause any delays.
The “Occupied Palestinian Territory”
104. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
c. Procedures for, and delays in, permission for the transfer of patients from the Gaza Strip to medical facilities in Israel, elsewhere in the Occupied Palestinian Territory or abroad.
The Golan Heights
105. Residents of the Golan receive the same medical treatment as all other citizens of Israel. Every citizen of Israel has medical insurance given by the Government. Health Maintenance organizations (HMO's) have opened several medical clinics in all populated areas in the Golan Heights (including private surgical centres). There are no delays in evacuating to hospitals and there are no barricades or checkpoints in the area that could cause any delays.
The “Occupied Palestinian Territory”
106. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 10, of the list of issues
107. All Israeli children living within authorized localities enjoy access to safe and sufficient drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities. One potentially problematic area is the unauthorized Bedouin localities in the South.
108. The Bedouins living in existing Bedouin towns enjoy the same services provided to all Israeli citizens, some of which are specially adapted to their needs. Unfortunately, many Bedouins choose to live outside permanent towns, in living conditions which are considered as inadequate by the Ministry of Health. Thus, additional funds were allotted towards the development of their health services and the Government is doing all it can to provide sufficient health care to Bedouins who live in unauthorized villages.
109. Approximately 60,000 Bedouin live in unauthorized villages in the Negev. These unauthorized villages pose difficulties in supplying the residents with necessary services, especially water. While the Government does not question its duty to supply its inhabitants with services such as water, it is practically impossible to supply such services to sporadic places which disregard the national construction and planning programs.
110. Nevertheless, pending the completion of the establishment of the 11 additional permanent Bedouin towns and the regulation of water supply systems, the Ministerial Committee for the Arab, Druze and Circassian Populations' Affairs has decided to build “Water Centres” in several centres in the Negev. The establishment of the Water Centres stems from the Government's understanding of the needs and current realities faced by the Bedouin population, and governmental efforts to improve their living conditions. The planning of the centres takes into account the amount of water necessary for the size of population expected in 2020, and the establishment of the centres involves great costs.
111. These Water Centres are located in the most populated areas of the Bedouin Diaspora, compatible with Government's plans for the establishment of permanent towns.
112. An additional method relied upon to provide water is through direct water connections being made to the main water pipeline, which are granted to a minimum of ten families. Due to the problematic nature of these connections, which require the transfer of water to unauthorized villages, this method is less frequently employed than was done previously. The connection to the main pipeline is approved by the Water Committee, which evaluates requests for connections to pipelines, and conducts negotiations in cases where disputes arise between residents of the Diaspora concerning the ownership of such connections.
113. According to 'Mekorot' – the Israel National Water Corporation – there are numerous pirated connections to pipelines, which are made without the authorization of the Water Committee.
114. There are currently 16 service points which provide services to the Bedouin population who live outside the permanent towns. Each service point is equipped with water systems built according to the customary standards, and with temporary sewage system operated by the Abu-Basma Regional Council (as of 2012 by an appointed committee (appointed by the Minister of Internal Affairs after dissolving the Regional Council)), without causing harm to the environment
115. In regard to the quality of water in the unauthorized villages – the water are received from the national water system, thus are of a quality which is according to the relevant regulation requirements, are safe to drink and are provided by a large number of consumer connections.
Administration for Sewage Infrastructures – Bedouin Population
116. As mentioned above, in the permanent Bedouin towns there are regulated water and sewage systems that are built according to the same criteria in the Jewish population. In addition, all the new Bedouin towns that are in the process of planning and development and those under statutory approval procedures are planned with water and sewage systems with the same quality level and criteria as in the Jewish population.
117. In addition, in each of the 16 service points which provide services to the Bedouin population who live outside the permanent towns, there is a temporary sewage system operated by the Abu-Basma Regional Council (as of 2012 by an appointed committee), without causing harm to the environment.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 11, of the list of issues
118. In regard to the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem – in order to facilitate proper planning procedures, illegal construction is not tolerated. Illegal construction harms the local population, given the fact that it does not take into consideration planning policies that will ensure a reasonable quality of life, and public needs.
119. All demolitions are conducted in accordance with due process guarantees and following a fair hearing, which is subject to judicial review and the right to appeal, and all demolitions are decided upon without distinction on the basis of race or ethnic origin. Those affected by a demolition order are entitled by law to appeal to the Supreme Court.
120. The residents of the illegal structures are not compensated for the demolition, since no such requirement regarding illegal construction exists according to the law unless it is proven post factum, that the demolished structure was not illegal. This legislation conforms with the principle that an illegal act cannot lead to a remedy.
The “Occupied Palestinian Territory”
121. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 12, of the list of issues
122. The At Risk Children National Program has substantially expanded the resources in developing the services in the community.
123. The combat against poverty – amongst other things provides three weeks of activities for the children from morning until the afternoon which included breakfast and lunch. The State and the “Rashi” foundation fund these activities.
124. In July 2011, a large-scale protest for “Social Justice” began and involved hundreds of thousands of protesters from a variety of socio-economic and religious backgrounds, demanding to reduce the high cost of living in Israel. The movement originally began as a demand for affordable housing protest when a group of individuals placed tents on the Rothschild Boulevard in the center of Tel Aviv in order to express their housing distress. The protests expanded during the month of August raising other social issues relating to health, education, taxes and to the general economic structure in Israel.
125. In response to these events, on August 8, 2011, the Prime Minister established the “Trajtenberg Committee”, headed by Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, Chair of the Planning and Budget Committee of the Council for Higher Education in Israel and former chair of the National Economic Council, to examine ways to implement social change in Israel and recommend practical solutions to the Government (the, Committee).
126. On October 9, 2011, the Government approved the final recommendations of the Committee. The Committee's final report recommended a list of economic measures which will be implemented over the period of the next five years.
127. The Committee dealt with four main issues related directly to the protest: housing, cost of living and the competitive market, social services and tax burden distribution. The implementation of the Committee's recommendations is under consideration and deliberation on a constant basis.
a. The gap between Jewish and Arab Israeli children
128. The National Insurance Institute of Israel acts to combat poverty among all populations within the State of Israel equally and without any regard to religion, race or nationality. It should be mentioned that, due to the social structure, the Arab Israeli population enjoys largely from the benefits mentioned below.
b. The greater levels of poverty among large families and single-parent families
129. According to the Law of the Plan for Curing the Israeli Economy (Legislative Amendments to Attain the Budgetary and Economic Policy Goals), 2009 and 2010 there was a gradual rise in budget for the second, third and fourth child in a manner that will add 100 NIS (US$ 27.5) nominally to the child welfare.
130. In 2012 there was an expansion of the negative income tax that gave priority to mothers of children (especially single mothers), in a way that they receive 1.5 more than the rest of the population, in a nationwide distribution. The influence of this expansion has not been assessed as some of the payments have not yet reached the families (they are paid retroactively for the prior year). In addition, a national stipend was distributed nationwide to mothers of infants up to two years old. This stipend has an indirect impact on single mothers.
c. The high levels of poverty and food aid dependency in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
131. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 13, of the list of issues
132. The Ministry of Education outlined a policy to close the gaps in the education system of the Arabic speaking population. This policy is reflected in new initiatives and in the expansion of successful existing programs. The results of this policy can be seen in the improvement of the achievements of the Arab population (which includes the Arab, Druze, Bedouin, and Circassian populations) in different indexes over the past two years and in a certain reduction of the gaps between the Arab and Jewish populations according to these indexes.
133. During the 2011/12 school year the number of pupils from the different populations (not including pre-schools ) was as follows: around 300,100 Arab pupils ( 19.2% of the pupils), around 83,500 Bedouin pupils (5.3% of the pupils), around 33,300 Druze pupils (2.1% of the pupils) and 1,148,556 Jewish pupils ( 73.4%of the pupils).
134. Changes and improvements in the Arab educational systems can be seen in the following:
(a) Improvement of the learning infrastructure in the education system of the Arab population, affirmative actions implemented when needed. This improvement can be seen in the expansion of the construction for the purpose of reducing the shortage of school classes, reducing the amount of children in each class and upgrading the infrastructure to face the technology of 21st century;
(b) Reducing the shortage of classes – between the years 2007-2011, 5 Billon NIS (US$ 137 Million) were invested in building 7,930 new classes for all population. 3,025 of those classes were built for the Arab population (39% of all classes, when the Arab population is 26% of the pupils in this age group), 1.8 Billion NIS (US$ 49.6 Million) were allocated for this purpose. As a result of this affirmative action, 533 additional classes were built, this reducing the existing shortage;
(c) Reducing the number of children in the classes – as a part of the program to reduce the number of children in elementary school and junior high schools, the allocation of the budget was based on preference a socio-economic decile ranking of the school, the target being a class of 32 pupils at most. In the past three years, 475 Million NIS (US$ 130.9 Million) was allocated for this program. In the elementary schools, 66% of the 700 classes that have been reduced to a 32 children class are within the Arab population, whilst the Arab pupils are 27% of this age group. In junior high schools, 52% of the classes that have been reduced to a 32 children class are within the Arab population, whilst the Arab pupils are 29% of the total age group;
(d) Upgrading the infrastructure – since the 2010/11 school year, the Ministry of Education has been operating a novel program for adapting the education system to the 21st century, which includes technology. The pupils are taught skills that will allow then to best function in the 21st century. The program is implemented in the north and south regions, where there is a large representation of the Arab population. In the north region all the Bedouin elementary schools were computerized and an additional 200 elementary schools were computerized in the Arab population compared to the 160 Jewish schools. In the 2011/12 school year, 420 Million NIS (US$ 115.7 Million) were allocated towards this purpose;
(e) A new program in the pre-school in the Arab populations called “The foundation towards reading and writing as a native tongue in pre-school” that was approved in 2009 is now implemented throughout the Arab education system. As a complementary measure, training sessions and seminars for pre-school teachers to strengthen their knowledge of the language and enable them to acquire the knowledge to develop thinking processes from early age. In elementary schools, the program “Arabic language education: language, literature and culture” was approved in 2009 and is considered one of the most advanced language skills programs. For high schools, a new program was developed and authorized in the 2011/12 school year and the outline of an additional new program in grammar and writing skills, that meets the international standards, was authorized;
(f) The accomplishments of the Arab population has improved increasingly both in the international examination and the matriculation exams. The percentage of Arab pupils that are entitled to a matriculation certificate in the Arab population has increased by 6% and the results of the Pirls exams (progress in international reading literacy study) for the 4th grade have improved by 58 points in the Arabic test and in the TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) exam for 8th graders by 57 in maths and 59 points in science. In order to achieve these results, the Education Ministry has allocated many additional hours for the cause (3,500 additional hours in maths, 1,700 additional hours in science and so forth);
(g) 50 centres for career guidance in Arab high schools to assist children in choosing their career path. In Addition, 50 centres for psychometric exams were opened for the Arabic population;
(h) Long school days (37 weekly hours) are operated in 1,239 pre-schools, of which 426 (34%) are from the Arab population and 659 elementary schools of which 213 (32%) are from the Arab population. Hot meals are provided in 1,248 of the pre-schools, of which 418 (34%) from the Arab population and in 388 schools of which 97 from the Arab population (25%). All in all 27,500 children enjoy a long school day, of which 117,000 children are from the Arab population (23% of the population). 65,000 children of the Arab population enjoy the hot meal program (13% of the population);
(i) Technological education- according to Government Resolution no. 4193, dated from January 2012 and according to the Trajtenberg Report, a program was implemented to increase the amount of female pupils from the Arab population in the technological education of the Ministry of Education and in the professional schools administered by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. In the 2012/13 school year, 400 pupils will embark on this program. In the following years 700 additional female pupils will be added, compared to the 2011/12 school year. In the next five years, 150 million NIS (US$ 41.3 Million) will be invested in the program;
(j) According to the Government Resolution no.3708, dated September 2011 – the program to promote the economic growth and development of the Bedouin population. The Ministry of Education will expand the extent of technological programs, open continuation programs for 13th and 14th grades for technicians and practical engineers; will upgrade technological laboratories; will open technological course of study that fit the needs of the economy and expand projects and courses of study that integrate the pupils in the industry. 19 million NIS (US$ 5.2 Million) was allocated for the cause in the current five year plan, of which 14 million NIS (US$ 3.85 Million) as an additional budget;
(k) The “Ofek Hadash” (New Horizon) reform (an educational and professional reform program in the elementary schools and junior high schools operating since 2008. This reform is a systematic one that is aimed to change the existing education system and impacts many different aspects. The reform expanded the teachers' working hours to 36 weekly hours. Tutorial sessions are given to small groups up to five children and their content is determined by the school, according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Education. The reform determined four specific goals: strengthening the position of the teachers and raising their salaries, providing equal opportunities to all pupils and improving the pupil's achievements, improvement of school climate, and expanding the authority of the principal. This reform has been implemented in 346 schools (172,600 pupils) in the Arab population, 113 schools (57,000 pupils) in the Bedouin population and 53 schools (20,500 pupils) in the Druze population. Additionally the reform was implemented in 1,147 pre-schools (30,600 children) in the Arab population, 440 pre-schools (12,000 children) in the Bedouin population and 166 pre-schools (4,600 pupils) in the Druze population. The reform is implemented in 67% of the elementary and junior high schools in the Arab population, and 76% in the Druze population, compared to the coverage of 72% of the elementary and junior high schools in the Jewish population (not including the orthodox schools) and 56% of all the schools in the Jewish population (including the ultra-orthodox schools). The reform is implemented in 64% of the pre-schools in the Arab population, and 52% in the Druze population, compared to the coverage of 84% of the pre-schools in the Jewish population (not including the ultra-orthodox schools) and 64 of all the pre-schools in the Jewish population monitored by the Ministry of Education (including the ultra-orthodox schools);
(l) The “Oz Betmura” (courage for change) reform (the reform's purpose is to promote the educational system's achievements and to strengthen the position of the teacher in high schools, was implemented in the first year in 27% of the high school in the Arab population, 32% of the high school in the Bedouin population and 55% of the high schools in the Druze population. Compared to the coverage of 33% of the high schools in the Jewish population (not including the ultra-orthodox schools) and 23% of the high schools in the Jewish population (including the ultra-orthodox) schools). This reform is aimed to improve the teacher's position and the achievements of the education system;
(m) The Government decision to adopt the Trajtenberg report and to subsidize extra curriculum at the end of the school day for the ages 3-9 in pre-schools and elementary schools that are budgeted by the Ministry of Education in a program named “Tsila”. This program is the creation of afternoon care centres in elementary schools and pre-schools, where the children will stay from the end of their school hours and until 16:00 on weekdays. The centres will provide extracurricular and social education in small groups, and will also address emotional, social or behavioural difficulties. To date the “Tsila” program can be found in 81 municipalities. This program will decrease the gap between the socio-economic levels and save the parents approximately 1,500 NIS monthly (US$ 413.5);
(n) Strengthening the core subjects with additional hours “Ofek Hadash” (New Horizon) – 220,000 additional individual hours for slow learners; Oz Betmura (courage for change) reform – 175,000 additional individual hours for slow learners; division of classes into small groups (20 children) for maths and language)
(o) The expansion of compulsory education until the age of 18. Since 2009, the expansion of compulsory education from 16 to 18 was gradually implemented with a preference to localities with high dropout levels. The program includes additional positions in the internal unit of Attendance Supervisors who regularly visit schools in order to prevent children from dropping-out of school, operated by the Ministry of Education psychologists and additional resources. A total of 90 localities have joined the program, 49 localities are of the Arab population.
Special Programs for the Bedouin Population
135. In the framework of Government Resolution no.3708 dated September 2011, a specific five-year plan (2011-2016) was implemented to improve the achievements and reduce the gaps in the Bedouin population in the South of Israel in the total budget of 124 million NIS (US$ 34.18) for the current five-year plan, of which 95 million NIS (US$ 26.1) are considered an additional amount.
Immigrant Children
136. The Absorption Department for Immigrant Children in the Ministry of Education operates special programs for the successful integration of immigrant pupils from different countries. Teaching Hebrew as a second language, closing the gap in the different subjects, establishing the feeling of belonging to the country and allowing each pupil to reach his/her full potential.
137. A program of the Absorption Department named “Ogen” aimed to prevent dropout of immigrant children from schools. The purpose of the program to decrease the dropout rates of immigrant pupils in junior high school. The rationale: the difficulties in integration of the immigrant pupils and the hidden dropout rate that could be caused by the combination of puberty and immigration. The program is implemented in 130 junior high schools. The program was evaluated by the National Department of Estimation and Evaluation of Education.
138. Multi-cultural educational mediators that speak Russian, French, Spanish and Amharic are responsible for the connection between the immigrant children, their family and the school. In addition, they mediate between the cultural of the country of origin and the cultural in the Israel.
139. Social workers, who promote the situation of detached youth from Russian and Ethiopian origin, attempt to reinstate them in the regular education system.
Teaching the Importance of Gender Equality
140. In the recent years the gender discourse has received the appropriate attention from the education system. Gender studies and equality between the genders will create the requested difference in the pupils and this in return could impact their personal, social and national spheres. The Unit for Gender Equality works with all office units, from the perspective that gender equality relates to all topics of education. There is a special emphasis given to the Arab, Druze, Circassian and Bedouin population and many resources are allocated for this purpose to these populations.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 14, of the list of issues
141. The Golan Heights – the Ministry of Education attends to the five Druze villages in the Golan, and funds are allocated to these villages according to the national guidelines of all the Israeli schools. In addition, these municipalities receive an additional funding from the five-year budget allocated to the Druze population, including the villages in the Golan. All the new reforms – Ofek Hadash (New Horizon), Oz Betmura (Courage for change) and others as elaborated above are implemented in the villages as in the rest of the country. Additionally all of the programs that are operated by the Ministry of Education regarding pre-schools, at risk children and youth are implemented in these villages, similar to other northern villages. The educational and allocation of budgets for pupils in the Golan are identical to other pupils in the region.
The “Occupied Palestinian Territory”
142. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 15, of the list of issues
143. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 16, of the list of issues, in particular regarding:
(a) Whether the State party continues to hold criminal proceedings against children in military courts and hold children in administrative detention and, if so, how many, of what ages and on what charges;
(b) The types of interrogation techniques used with children;
(c) Measures taken to prevent incommunicado detention and solitary confinement of children; and
(d) The transfer of children from the Occupied Palestinian Territory to Israel, in contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
144. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 17, of the list of issues
145. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 18, of the list of issues
146. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 19, of the list of issues, inter alia, on:
(a) The clearance of all anti-personal mines in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, southern Lebanon and the Occupied Syrian Golan.
147. Israel is party to Protocol II of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) as amended in 1996 (hereinafter: Amended Protocol II). Amended Protocol II regulates the use and deployment of anti-personal mines, thus acknowledges their use as a lawful and necessary weapon while striking the balance envisaged by the CCW between military and humanitarian considerations. The use of anti-personal mines by Israel is solely for security reasons, in order to protect the borders of the country from enemy penetration both of armed forces and terrorist organizations – a need that is recently underscored due to the changing security reality in the region.
148. As a State Party to the CCW and Amended Protocol II, Israel has undertaken concrete measures aimed at reducing the potential adverse consequences that may be associated with the use of anti-personnel (AP) landmines. Israel fully implements the provisions of the Protocol with regards to minefields in Israel and the West Bank, including those regulating, monitoring, marking, protecting by fencing and recording. Additionally, the IDF is working to distribute accessible information to the public regarding the locations of AP mines and the risks that exist in this regard, especially in tourist areas and during vacation time.
149. In addition, in 1994 Israel unilaterally declared a moratorium on any export, sales or transfers of all types of anti-personnel mines. The Moratorium was declared in recognition of the grave humanitarian consequences associated with anti-personnel mines and the need, in this respect, for self-imposed state restraint. Since its initiation, the moratorium has been extended for additional three-year periods, most recently in July 2011 (in force until July 2014).
150. Furthermore, the Israeli Parliament enacted in March 2011 the Minefield Clearance Law 5771 – 2001 that sets out a statutory framework for the clearance of minefields not essential to Israel's national security, and established the Israeli National Mine Action Authority (INMAA). INMAA is tasked with the formulation and implementation of multi-year and annual national mine actions plans, and with determining national demining specifications, while taking into consideration, inter alia, the international Mine Action Standards endorsed by the United Nations inter-agency Coordination Group. Over the past year INMAA has formulated directives for its activities, recruited skilled personnel, issued tenders for companies that execute and supervise the mine clearance operations, took measures to enhance public awareness of safety and security, and has engaged in a few pilot projects. INMAA is consistently enhancing its involvement and important work. During 2012, INMAA began clearing the mine fields near the village Neot HaKikcar situated south of the Dead Sea and in the Sapir Area in the Arava near the border with Jordan. In the future, INMAA plans to clear additional mine fields.
(b) The prevention and criminalization of the recruitment of minors, or their use in hostilities.
151. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
(c) The outcome of the investigations and prosecutions as a result of the Operation “Cast Lead” in Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009, including in relation to the allegations of child rights violations in the report of the United Nations fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict (A/HRC/12/48).
152. Please see the response to Question #2 above.
(d) The prohibition of the sale of arms when the final destination is a country where children are known to be or may potentially be recruited or used in hostilities.
153. The Israeli Defence Export Control Law 5766-2007 established an export control system, led by the Ministry of Defence, in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under Israeli legislation, any military (and dual use) export requires licensing. The Ministry of Defense, in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, examines requests for permits for “defense export” that are applied by the exporters. The process of granting such licenses includes a thorough examination of the end-use and end-user. In this framework, several considerations are examined according to the requirements of the Law. These considerations include information about children's rights regarding enrolment in the army and the use of children in armed conflict as well as consideration of the human rights situation in the recipient state. Amongst other, different human rights reports are examined, United Nations Security Council resolutions and the internal situation in the destination state.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 20, of the list of issues
154. Since June 2012, the Ministry of Interior began implementing the Prevention of Infiltration (Offences and Jurisdiction) (Amendment 3 and Temporary Order) 5772-2012 (the “Anti-Infiltration Law)” in regard to foreigners crossing the borders into Israel illegally, following the entry into force of the Law.
155. Concerning the unaccompanied minors, the procedure for treating them is elaborated in the response to Question #22.
156. The Anti- Infiltration Law applies to minors that are accompanied by parents or guardians. They are brought before the passport control supervisor who determines whether their case falls into the exceptions permitted by law, which gives the supervisor the authority to order the release of the minors. Amongst the considerations are the age of the minor and whether he/she is accompanied or not. In the detention facilities, social services, children's medicine and schools are available to the minor detainees; the treatment is done with sensitivity and the outmost consideration.
157. There is no automatic detention for a period of minimum three years. The temporary order's validity is for a period of three years and the Anti- Infiltration Law provides a maximum limit of three years for a person to be held in the detention facility. According to the Anti- Infiltration Law, a deportation order may be issued against a foreigner that entered illegally. The law determines supervision mechanisms regarding the continuation of holding in custody according to specified causes for release. Each case is examined by the passport control supervisor and by the Detention Review Tribunal who is permitted to release the foreigner from custody.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 21, of the list of issues
158. A wide range of education services that are provided to children in detention, including classes operated by the Ministry of Education that are available in the different prisons nationwide. For example, in the Juvenile Ofek Prison there are 10 classes for minors who are Israeli residents that create a continuity of the minor's education in the community and allow the detained minor to take the matriculation certificate.
159. All the teachers in the prison school have the proper qualifications and certification from the Ministry of Education. The classes are supervised by the Ministry of Education and the Unit for the Promotion of Youth, regardless of the nature of crimes the child has committed.
160. The health-care services provided to children prisoners or detainees in the IPS are equivalent to the health care given in the community.
161. In the IPS facilities, the following regular medical check-ups are conducted as needed:
‾ Conducting a non-intrusive medical examination, providing first aid assistance and preventive medical services.
‾ Conducting an initial psychiatric evaluation as necessary according to the relevant treatment professionals.
‾ Referrals to specialists or tests in the IPS medical clinic.
‾ Referrals to specialists or test outside the IPS medical clinic.
162. In the IPS facilities, medical clinics operate on a regular basis. All the clinics have medics; most of them also have a permanent physician. In clinics that do not have permanent physicians, the regular medical examinations will be conducted by physicians from nearby medical facilities and in cases of emergency the medics will conduct the examinations.
Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 22, of the list of issues
163. The treatment of unaccompanied foreign minors is provided according to a procedure formed following extensive work performed by a committee including representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Social Affairs and Social Services, Education, the Prime-Minister's Office, Israel Defense Force, and the Immigration Administration. The procedure was last updated in July, 2011, towards determining the treatment methods, custody, guardianship alternatives, removal of such minors and the coordination between the relevant authorities, while acknowledging the minors' best interests as a main principle.
164. According to the procedure, a minor who is less than 12 years of age shall not be held in detention, but placed in facilities operated by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, where a teacher and a social worker is employed, and provides social services, health services and translation services, and in which separation of genders will be maintained. According to the updated procedure, these rules will apply to minors who are between 12 and 14 years of age. In addition, the new procedure stipulates that minors aged 12-14 years old shall be placed in an educational facility operated by the Ministry of Education, unless he/she is in need of other special treatment framework of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, or is placed with a guardian or guardianship in the community. Moreover, the facility will employ a social worker and provide social services, health services and translation services. The facility will also afford the minors the opportunity for appropriate studies and leisure activities by providing education services, classrooms and education equipment. There will also be a separation in the facility between the genders.
165. With regard to minors over the age of 14, they should be placed in a separate detention center that was adapted to house minors and to address their special needs.
166. Minors until the age of 16 shall not be kept in detention more than the necessary time it takes to perform the requisite medical examinations and locating appropriate educational or treatment framework according to the minor's needs.
167. Minors over the age of 16 shall not be kept in detention more than the necessary time it takes to perform the requisite medical examinations and locating appropriate guardianship or, in exceptional cases and for reasons to be duly noted, finding an alternative guardianship in the community or a treatment framework according to the minor's needs.
168. According to the updated procedure, along with the issuing of the custody order, the passport control supervisor shall notify the Legal Aid Branch in the Ministry of Justice regarding the order issuance and inform the minor of his/her right to be legally assisted by the Legal Aid Branch.
169. In addition, a social worker is designated to meet each minor over the age of 14, within 24 hours of the beginning of his/her detention, and to give an expert opinion regarding the possibility available, to: release the minor to an educational facility under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, or to a treatment facility under the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services. In addition, the social worker shall give his/her opinion regarding the possibility of release and transfer to a legal guardian which will be appointed by a Family Matters Court, and shall be responsible for fulfillment of the minor's needs including housing, clothing, health insurance and food. The social worker may also recommend the continuation of the detention until the removal of the minor from Israel.
170. The social worker will inform the minor concerning his/her right to update his/her state consulate concerning his/her custody in Israel as well as his/her wish to transfer such a notice to the consulate and to be visited by a representative from his/her state consulate.
171. The procedure further stipulates, that when Refugee Status Determination Committee recommend the Minister of Interior that the minor should be recognized as a temporary asylum seeker, he/she shall not be removed from Israel and the minor's official consulate will not be informed concerning his/her presence in Israel, the Minister's decision and the completion of handling his/her case.
172. A notice regarding removal of a minor shall be given to the minor at least seven days prior to the removal. In addition, such notice shall be given to the guardian or manager of the institution in which the minor is staying at least seven days in advance and with a reasonable amount of time prior to the notice to the minor.
173. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall make reasonable efforts to examine the possibility of locating the minor's parents or other relatives, see to it that someone will wait for him/her at the destination airport, and/or in the facility he/she will be transferred to. If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the opinion that the circumstances in the minor's country of origin may endanger his/her wellbeing, it will notify the Population and Immigration Authority for an additional examination of the minor's removal.
174. As a rule, an unaccompanied minor shall not be expelled to his/her country of origin or other countries, if there is an apprehension of danger to his/her life and liberty or danger of torture.
175. In addition, on February 13, 2007 the Ministry of Justice decided to grant legal assistance to all unaccompanied foreign minors and to those claiming to be minors, in proceedings before the Detention Review Tribunal and in appeals proceedings. From 2009 until December 2012 the Legal Aid Branch has assisted 890 unaccompanied minors, 103 of them were girls.
176. On March 17, 2010, the Prime Minister Office's Director General ordered the establishment of “Matan” Facility (Youth Support Facility) for the absorption of foreign unaccompanied minors.
177. It is important to emphasize that although the facility formally defined as a “prison”, it does not operate as a regular prison facility, but was adapted to the needs of minors staying in it and provides their special needs in accordance with their age, status and background. The definition of a prison is intended to provide the IPS officers with the legal right to operate within the facility.
Alternatives Outside the “Matan” facility
178. There are several educational alternatives for foreign unaccompanied minors outside the facility. Yet, due to the minors' early age and the fact that they are unaccompanied, it is necessary to examine each of the minor's individual circumstances in order to decide whether these alternatives provide an adequate protection and fulfills their best interest.
179. Minors at the ages of 14 to 16 may be referred to special frameworks of the Ministry of Education, which allocated 150 spots for foreign unaccompanied minors in boarding schools and in the “Nitzana” youth village, especially established for this population.
180. Minors at the ages of 16 to 18 are placed in frameworks under the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, or under the responsibility of a guardian who was examined by the facility's social worker and approved by a Guardianship Tribunal in accordance with the Unaccompanied Minors Procedure. However, the guardian approval is complex. In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services allocated 30 additional spots in the boarding school of Kfar Yasif.
181. Female minors are separated from the male minors and placed in a separate section at the Givon detention facility. The section is open during the day and locked only at nights. In addition, the girls are provided with clothes, health services, social worker's supervision and Hebrew lessons twice a week. As in Matan facility, external alternative frameworks for the girls are frequently being examined. As of July 2011 there were four female minors in the Givon facility.
Part II
Reply to the issues raised in part II of the list of issues
a. New bills, laws, or military orders, and their respective regulations
182. Amendments to the Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law 5722-1962 (the “Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law”) take into consideration the importance of the minor being in touch with both his/her parents and in order to enable the parents of the minor, even if they live apart, to be involved and updated concerning the minor, not related to the type of relationship the parents have amongst them. Amendment no. 14 (2010) and Amendment no. 16 (2012), determine that information regarding the minor will be sent to two registered addresses of the minor or to an additional address given by one of the parents.
‾ Amendment no. 17 of the Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law (2012) added the right of the grandparents to file a request to be in contact with their grandchildren and authorized the court to instruct on the matter if it finds that it is the best interest of the child. In addition, the amendment authorizes the court to maintain a contact of the child with the grandparents that are the parents of a deceased parent if it is in the child best interest.
‾ Amendments no. 18 and 20 of the Youth Law (Treatment and Supervision), extended the protection provided by law to publications that might be harmful to minors.
b. New institutions (and their mandates) or institutional reforms
183. No relevant Data is available at this time.
c. Recently introduced policies, programmes and action plans and their scope and financing
The different programs that have been recently introduced are the following:
(a) According to Government Resolution no. 4088 (12.1.2012) to adopt the recommendations of the report by the Trajtenberg Committee (as described in the response to Question #13) to subsidize extra curriculum for the age group 3-9 in pre-schools and elementary schools. The program will be implemented gradually. The schools that have children from low income families will be fully funded;
(b) Measures to raise the social economic level through reducing the amount of children in the class to 32 pupils. Budget allocated 470 Million NIS (US$ 129 Million);
(c) A program to improve the achievements in the core subjects (total sum of 43,000 hours of additional schooling hours – annual funding of 310 Million NIS (US$ 85.4 Million);
(d) Differential funding in the amount of 732 Million NIS (US$ 201.8 Million) was allocated for additional tutorial sessions, according to socio-economic decile ranking;
(e) Support of junior high schools in the periphery according to a socio-economic decile ranking,, with the funding of above 200 Million NIS (US$ 55,1 Million);
(f) Incentives to teachers in the peripheral areas in the amount of approximately 220 Million NIS (US$ 60.6 Million);
(g) Self-management of schools according to the new model received funding of 76 Million NIS (US$ 20.5 Million);
(h) The reform in free education from ages 3-4, 1.3 Billion NIS (US$ 358 Million) for the construction of additional pre-schools and 1 Billion NIS (US$ 275 Million) toward subsidizing the parents' fees;
(i) Pupils' annual trip is subsidized in the sum of 270 Million NIS (US$ 74.4 Million). Additionally scholarships in the total sum of 55 Million NIS (US$ 15.1 Million) will be given to pupils according to a socio-economic decile ranking;
(j) Additional funding will be allocated to youth organizations in the sum of 20 Million NIS (US$ 5.5 Million), a total of 85 Million NIS (US$ 23.4 Million) toward this cause. The emphasis will be on youth in the periphery and the aims of the plan amongst others are establishing a foundation for the participation of Bedouin children and youth in youth organizations (currently none exist; 10 new branches will open and 600 children and youth will become members) and limiting the membership fees;
(k) The library service program received funding in the amount of 100 Million NIS (US$ 27.5 Million) and an additional 20 Million NIS (US$ 5.5 Million) to implement the program in every school;
(l) The computerization program is implemented in elementary schools and junior high schools in Jerusalem, the North and South regions. Around 1,400 schools are in the program, the funds were allocated to decrease the gap between the socio-economic levels. The budget of this program was 300 Million NIS (US$ 82.7 Million) for adding 400 schools in the program and 420 Million NIS (US$ 115.7 Million) for implementing the program in 1,000 additional schools;
(m) “Ofek Hadash” (New Horizon) will continue to operate in pre-schools, and elementary schools, in the future junior high schools will join the program;
(n) Strengthening the technological education, 400 Million NIS (US$ 110 Million) were allocated for this purpose.
d. Recent ratifications of human rights instruments
184. Israel is pleased to report that in September 2012, the Israeli Government ratified the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.
185. Israel signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the, Convention) on March 30, 2007, and since then has been conducting extensive work in order to ratify this important Convention, which included among others, examination of relevant legislation, required legislation amendments and more.
186. The ratification procedure was led by the Commission for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Ministry of Justice, with the participation of other relevant Government Ministries, such as the Ministries of Social Affairs and Social Services, Foreign Affairs, Finance and others.
187. This ratification is an important step in enhancing the protection provided to human rights in Israel.
Part III
Reply to the issues raised in part III, paragraph 1, of the list of issues
188. In the past three years, many new programs have been implemented to close the gaps between different populations and to decrease the number of dropouts from the education system. The following information explains the allocation of the budget.
Reply to the issues raised in part III, paragraph 2, of the list of issues
a. Children separated from their parents
189. The data is not available at this time.
b. Children placed in institutions
190. During the 2011-2012 school year, the children staying in boarding school were divided as follows: 7,257 pupils stayed in boarding schools of the Child and Youth services; 2,981 pupils were placed according to the Youth Law; 2,469 pupils were placed for rehabilitation purposes; 2,782 pupils were placed for treatment purposes; 744 pupils were placed for hospitalization purposes; 705 pupils were placed in day school of the Child and Youth Services.
191. The Child and Youth service has work connections with 315 out of home placements. 140 of the out of home placement are boarding schools that work solely with children that are treated by social services. In these boarding schools there are two main age groups: 27% are between the ages of 6-12, 61% are between the ages of 13-18. The supervision of these children according to the standard method, that enables to receive local and national profiles of the pupils. The pupils' profiles are determined by certain characteristics and other problems. The common characteristics for a high degree of danger: abuse by the parents or a suspicion of abuse, lack of visitation at the parents' home or rare visitations, a suicide attempt, committing sexual assault, victims of sexual assault. Pupils with obvious characteristics: problems in the family 57.9%, depression and anxiety 47.5%, lack of social skills 35.4%.
192. The Child and Youth Services, along with the boarding schools developed new models to work with at risk children for the purpose of protection and to strengthen the connection between parent and child and treat the emotional, behavioral difficulties of the pupils.
c. Children placed with foster families
193. The data is not available at this time.
d. Children adopted domestically or through inter-country adoptions
194. The data is not available at this time.
Reply to the issues raised in part III, paragraph 3, of the list of issues
a. Children living with their families:
Table 4
Recipients of a Disabled Child Allowance, as of December 2012, Disaggregated by Age, Gender and District of Residence
|
Place of Residence |
Age |
Gender |
Total |
District of Residence |
|||||||||||||||
|
Jerusalem |
Safed |
Kinneret |
Yizrael |
Akko |
Golan |
Haifa |
Hadera |
Ha'Sharon |
Petah Tiqwa |
Ramla |
Rehovot |
Tel Aviv |
Ashqelon |
Be'er Sheva |
Judea and Samaria |
||||
|
Total |
33,308 |
4,926 |
502 |
510 |
1,960 |
2,623 |
133 |
1,934 |
1,589 |
1,604 |
2,458 |
1,396 |
1,966 |
4,313 |
2,122 |
3,580 |
1,692 |
||
|
Living with Parents |
Total |
33,133 |
4,906 |
499 |
508 |
1,945 |
2,611 |
131 |
1,918 |
1,579 |
1,594 |
2,454 |
1,391 |
1,962 |
4,295 |
2,108 |
3,544 |
1,688 |
|
|
Younger than 3 years old |
Total |
2,463 |
412 |
50 |
30 |
135 |
185 |
Less than 10 |
122 |
123 |
104 |
158 |
95 |
111 |
340 |
153 |
274 |
166 |
|
|
Male |
1,393 |
219 |
25 |
18 |
83 |
106 |
Less than 10 |
68 |
67 |
58 |
73 |
62 |
70 |
208 |
100 |
140 |
92 |
||
|
Female |
1,070 |
193 |
25 |
12 |
52 |
79 |
Less than 10 |
54 |
56 |
46 |
85 |
33 |
41 |
132 |
53 |
134 |
74 |
||
|
3-5 |
Total |
5,651 |
827 |
93 |
74 |
262 |
364 |
18 |
311 |
303 |
295 |
446 |
250 |
360 |
770 |
341 |
647 |
290 |
|
|
Male |
3,737 |
520 |
60 |
51 |
171 |
226 |
11 |
220 |
209 |
210 |
303 |
177 |
255 |
532 |
228 |
389 |
175 |
||
|
Female |
1,914 |
307 |
33 |
23 |
91 |
138 |
Less than 10 |
91 |
94 |
85 |
143 |
73 |
105 |
238 |
113 |
258 |
115 |
||
|
6-9 |
Total |
8,657 |
1,245 |
122 |
112 |
418 |
614 |
31 |
520 |
369 |
424 |
678 |
378 |
573 |
1,205 |
562 |
927 |
479 |
|
|
Male |
5,810 |
802 |
79 |
65 |
278 |
397 |
18 |
360 |
233 |
296 |
475 |
267 |
417 |
858 |
375 |
571 |
319 |
||
|
Female |
2,847 |
443 |
43 |
47 |
140 |
217 |
13 |
160 |
136 |
128 |
203 |
111 |
156 |
347 |
187 |
356 |
160 |
||
|
10-13 |
Total |
8,503 |
1,216 |
117 |
147 |
564 |
737 |
35 |
478 |
394 |
425 |
665 |
341 |
475 |
1,036 |
564 |
890 |
419 |
|
|
Male |
5,478 |
736 |
77 |
95 |
353 |
423 |
24 |
315 |
241 |
274 |
462 |
233 |
334 |
715 |
370 |
555 |
271 |
||
|
Female |
3,025 |
480 |
40 |
52 |
211 |
314 |
11 |
163 |
153 |
151 |
203 |
108 |
141 |
321 |
194 |
335 |
148 |
||
|
14-17 |
Total |
7,859 |
1,206 |
117 |
145 |
566 |
711 |
42 |
487 |
390 |
346 |
507 |
327 |
443 |
944 |
488 |
806 |
334 |
|
|
Male |
4,860 |
749 |
70 |
91 |
340 |
412 |
28 |
316 |
217 |
217 |
322 |
213 |
272 |
621 |
303 |
464 |
225 |
||
|
Female |
2,999 |
457 |
47 |
54 |
226 |
299 |
14 |
171 |
173 |
129 |
185 |
114 |
171 |
323 |
185 |
342 |
109 |
||
|
Not Living with Parents |
175 |
20 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
15 |
12 |
Less than 10 |
16 |
10 |
10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
18 |
14 |
36 |
Less than 10 |
||
Source: National Insurance Institution, April, 2013
Table 5
Recipients of a Disabled Child Allowance, as of December 2011, Disaggregated by Age, Gender and District of Residence
|
Place of Residence |
Age |
Gender |
Total |
District of Residence |
|||||||||||||||
|
Jerusalem |
Safed |
Kinneret |
Yizrael |
Akko |
Golan |
Haifa |
Hadera |
Ha'Sharon |
Petah Tiqwa |
Ramla |
Rehovot |
Tel Aviv |
Ashqelon |
Be'er Sheva |
Judea and Samaria |
||||
|
Total |
30,396 |
4,531 |
432 |
451 |
1,843 |
2,420 |
135 |
1,800 |
1,448 |
1,426 |
2,192 |
1,281 |
1,773 |
3,924 |
1,946 |
3,269 |
1,525 |
||
|
Living with Parents |
Total |
30,216 |
4,504 |
428 |
449 |
1,826 |
2,409 |
133 |
1,785 |
1,437 |
1,417 |
2,186 |
1,278 |
1,769 |
3,903 |
1,935 |
3,235 |
1,522 |
|
|
Younger than 3 years old |
Total |
1,093 |
203 |
13 |
10 |
65 |
93 |
Less than 10 |
53 |
64 |
42 |
57 |
35 |
48 |
131 |
62 |
128 |
84 |
|
|
Male |
580 |
103 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
44 |
49 |
Less than 10 |
25 |
33 |
16 |
21 |
24 |
25 |
83 |
36 |
58 |
45 |
||
|
Female |
513 |
100 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
21 |
44 |
. |
28 |
31 |
26 |
36 |
11 |
23 |
48 |
26 |
70 |
39 |
||
|
3-5 |
Total |
4,324 |
655 |
68 |
51 |
185 |
282 |
15 |
247 |
220 |
212 |
322 |
190 |
263 |
597 |
270 |
522 |
225 |
|
|
Male |
2,759 |
387 |
45 |
34 |
116 |
174 |
11 |
172 |
145 |
150 |
209 |
123 |
183 |
390 |
183 |
302 |
135 |
||
|
Female |
1,565 |
268 |
23 |
17 |
69 |
108 |
Less than 10 |
75 |
75 |
62 |
113 |
67 |
80 |
207 |
87 |
220 |
90 |
||
|
6-9 |
Total |
7,827 |
1,117 |
105 |
97 |
388 |
550 |
27 |
455 |
343 |
377 |
618 |
345 |
525 |
1,112 |
493 |
847 |
428 |
|
|
Male |
5,233 |
716 |
66 |
52 |
255 |
358 |
15 |
318 |
220 |
262 |
428 |
240 |
379 |
796 |
327 |
518 |
283 |
||
|
Female |
2,594 |
401 |
39 |
45 |
133 |
192 |
12 |
137 |
123 |
115 |
190 |
105 |
146 |
316 |
166 |
329 |
145 |
||
|
10-13 |
Total |
7,985 |
1,142 |
103 |
125 |
530 |
672 |
32 |
458 |
369 |
399 |
632 |
323 |
436 |
997 |
537 |
829 |
401 |
|
|
Male |
5,147 |
692 |
66 |
81 |
333 |
377 |
25 |
306 |
228 |
256 |
444 |
219 |
309 |
689 |
348 |
519 |
255 |
||
|
Female |
2,838 |
450 |
37 |
44 |
197 |
295 |
Less than 10 |
152 |
141 |
143 |
188 |
104 |
127 |
308 |
189 |
310 |
146 |
||
|
14-17 |
Total |
8,987 |
1,387 |
139 |
166 |
658 |
812 |
54 |
572 |
441 |
387 |
557 |
385 |
497 |
1,066 |
573 |
909 |
384 |
|
|
Male |
5,565 |
861 |
82 |
103 |
397 |
475 |
33 |
375 |
249 |
239 |
347 |
242 |
320 |
695 |
359 |
533 |
255 |
||
|
Female |
3,422 |
526 |
57 |
63 |
261 |
337 |
21 |
197 |
192 |
148 |
210 |
143 |
177 |
371 |
214 |
376 |
129 |
||
|
Not Living with Parents |
180 |
27 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
17 |
11 |
Less than 10 |
15 |
11 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
21 |
11 |
34 |
Less than 10 |
||
Source: National Insurance Institution, April, 2013
Table 6
Recipients of a Disabled Child Allowance, as of December 2010, Disaggregated by Age, Gender and District of Residence*
|
Age |
Gender |
Total |
District of Residence |
|||||||||||||||
|
Jerusalem |
Safed |
Kinneret |
Yizrael |
Akko |
Golan |
Haifa |
Hadera |
Ha'Sharon |
Petah Tiqwa |
Ramla |
Rehovot |
Tel Aviv |
Ashqelon |
Be'er Sheva |
Judea and Samaria |
|||
|
Total |
28,016 |
4,169 |
384 |
404 |
1,775 |
2,290 |
127 |
1,560 |
1,328 |
1,324 |
1,943 |
1,203 |
1,624 |
3,621 |
1,896 |
3,029 |
1,339 |
|
|
Total |
28,016 |
4,169 |
384 |
404 |
1,775 |
2,290 |
127 |
1,560 |
1,328 |
1,324 |
1,943 |
1,203 |
1,624 |
3,621 |
1,896 |
3,029 |
1,339 |
|
|
Younger than 3 years old |
Total |
264 |
53 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
12 |
25 |
Less than 10 |
12 |
16 |
10 |
13 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
30 |
13 |
29 |
25 |
|
Male |
144 |
27 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
12 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
18 |
Less than 10 |
14 |
14 |
|
|
Female |
120 |
26 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
13 |
. |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
12 |
Less than 10 |
15 |
11 |
|
|
3-5 |
Total |
2,994 |
477 |
43 |
33 |
149 |
208 |
Less than 10 |
133 |
157 |
151 |
189 |
128 |
178 |
408 |
188 |
378 |
165 |
|
Male |
1,776 |
268 |
28 |
19 |
92 |
120 |
Less than 10 |
80 |
93 |
106 |
110 |
73 |
119 |
243 |
123 |
201 |
94 |
|
|
Female |
1,218 |
209 |
15 |
14 |
57 |
88 |
Less than 10 |
53 |
64 |
45 |
79 |
55 |
59 |
165 |
65 |
177 |
71 |
|
|
6-9 |
Total |
7,063 |
1,024 |
91 |
86 |
342 |
501 |
25 |
394 |
309 |
339 |
551 |
306 |
465 |
1,017 |
470 |
772 |
371 |
|
Male |
4,654 |
650 |
57 |
48 |
221 |
320 |
14 |
264 |
190 |
228 |
384 |
211 |
345 |
716 |
305 |
458 |
243 |
|
|
Female |
2,409 |
374 |
34 |
38 |
121 |
181 |
11 |
130 |
119 |
111 |
167 |
95 |
120 |
301 |
165 |
314 |
128 |
|
|
10-13 |
Total |
7,555 |
1,089 |
97 |
105 |
522 |
631 |
32 |
390 |
339 |
375 |
580 |
331 |
407 |
958 |
520 |
804 |
375 |
|
Male |
4,843 |
655 |
61 |
68 |
331 |
349 |
24 |
263 |
212 |
232 |
401 |
215 |
292 |
664 |
335 |
511 |
230 |
|
|
Female |
2,712 |
434 |
36 |
37 |
191 |
282 |
Less than 10 |
127 |
127 |
143 |
179 |
116 |
115 |
294 |
185 |
293 |
145 |
|
|
14-17 |
Total |
10,140 |
1,526 |
148 |
176 |
750 |
925 |
60 |
631 |
507 |
449 |
610 |
430 |
566 |
1,208 |
705 |
1,046 |
403 |
|
Male |
6,329 |
939 |
90 |
111 |
464 |
549 |
35 |
408 |
301 |
283 |
394 |
268 |
359 |
794 |
444 |
622 |
268 |
|
|
Female |
3,811 |
587 |
58 |
65 |
286 |
376 |
25 |
223 |
206 |
166 |
216 |
162 |
207 |
414 |
261 |
424 |
135 |
Source: National Insurance Institution, April, 2013
* For 2010, the data is not disaggregated according towhether or not the minor is residing with his/her parents
b. In institutions
195. The data is not available at this time.
c. Attending regular schools
Children with disabilities in the regular education system, in special education classes:
2011: 32,718 pupils
2012: 33, 854 pupils, 3.5% increase from the previous year.
2013: 36, 848 pupils, 8.8% increase from the previous year.
d. Attending special schools
Children with disabilities in the special education system, in special education classes:
2011: 32,889 pupils
2012: 34, 928 pupils, 5.8% increase from the previous year.
2013: 35,295 pupils, 1.1% increase from the previous year.
Conclusions
196. In 2013, an increase in referrals to special education can be indicated and yet the eligibility criterions for special education have changed:
197. In 2012, children with disabilities were more often referred to the segregated special education institutions; whilst in 2013 children with disabilities were referred to the special education classes within the integrated regular school system.
198. This trend indicates that more classes in regular schools have opened for children with complex disabilities which allow the children to stay close to their home and known social surroundings.
199. This trend is fully supported both by the parents and the municipalities that want to see the children study in regular schools.
The Integration Program
200. In the Integration Program, 113,321 children receive services. From the data, two main trends:
(a) An increase in the number of children with disabilities (for instance autistic children) that are integrated in the regular education system;
(b) A decrease in the overall number of children, this decline is related to the increasing professionalism of the treating staff. In the past, pupils with difficulties were also admitted into the integration program and not only children with disabilities. Nowadays children with learning difficulties receive additional assistance in the framework of the new reform Ofek Hadash (New horizon). Accordingly all the resources of the integration program are allocated to children with disabilities. At the same time, there is an increase in the amount of children with complicated disabilities (such as autism, mental disabilities, hearing impairment, vision impairment and others) that are placed in the integration program. By these actions, the Ministry of Education is strengthening the trend of integrating children with complicated disabilities into the regular education system.
Reply to the issues raised in part III, paragraph 4, of the list of issues
a. The enrolment and completion rates in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools
Table 7
Enrolment rates in Pre-schools
|
Age |
Year |
||
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
|
3 |
67.8 |
67.8 |
77.6 |
|
4 |
82.7 |
83.0 |
88.1 |
|
5 |
92.6 |
92.9 |
91.6 |
|
Total |
81.2 |
80.6 |
85.7 |
Source: The Ministry of Education, April, 2013
201. National summary of the primary findings:
(a) In 2011- 2012, the enrollment rate in pre-schools for children aged 3-5 has been stable;
(b) A prominent trend was seen in the substantial increase of the pre-school enrollment rate for 3-4 year olds in 2013.
(i) The most significant increase is the enrollment of three years olds from 67.8% in 2012 to 77.6% in 2013.
(ii) A milder increase is seen in the enrollment of four year olds, from 83% in 2012 to 88.1% in 2013.
The increase in enrollment percentages reflects a national resolution, on which the Government of Israel decided following the Trajtenberg Committee, implementing its main recommendation to immediately apply the Compulsory Education Law 5709-1949 to children in the age group of 3-4.
(c) The enrollment rate of 5 year olds declined in 2013 by 1%, a decrease which may indicate an increase in home schooling, but not of a change of policy, as the education institutions have always been open to five year olds and intend to stay open in the future.
Table 8
The enrollment rates of children between the ages 3-5 according to nationality, gender
|
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
Gender |
Nationality |
Age |
||||||
|
Enrollment rate |
Children in pre-school |
Children according to Registry |
Enrollment rate |
Children in pre-school |
Children according to Registry |
Enrollment rate |
Children in pre-school |
Children according to Registry |
|||
|
97.52 |
1140 |
1169 |
98.34 |
1247 |
1268 |
97.19 |
1141 |
1174 |
Girls |
Druze |
3 |
|
97.19 |
1247 |
1283 |
97.67 |
1381 |
1414 |
96.83 |
1192 |
1231 |
Boys |
||
|
80.95 |
47855 |
59120 |
69.87 |
43638 |
62453 |
70.41 |
38496 |
54674 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
79.32 |
49386 |
62262 |
68.32 |
44639 |
65340 |
68.62 |
39471 |
57525 |
Boys |
||
|
67.9 |
12112 |
17839 |
60.93 |
11444 |
18781 |
60.11 |
10320 |
17168 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
67.69 |
12426 |
18356 |
60.82 |
11985 |
19706 |
60.99 |
11069 |
18149 |
Boys |
||
|
74.07 |
40 |
54 |
65.52 |
38 |
58 |
81.13 |
43 |
53 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
59.09 |
26 |
44 |
59.26 |
32 |
54 |
63.16 |
24 |
38 |
Boys |
||
|
77.58 |
124232 |
160127 |
67.67 |
114404 |
169074 |
67.83 |
101756 |
150012 |
Total |
||
|
98.11 |
1244 |
1268 |
98.13 |
1153 |
1175 |
98.2 |
1199 |
1221 |
Girls |
Druze |
4 |
|
97.88 |
1385 |
1415 |
98.54 |
1213 |
1231 |
97.59 |
1295 |
1327 |
Boys |
||
|
91.76 |
57491 |
62653 |
87.8 |
48276 |
54983 |
87.6 |
47149 |
53825 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
90.87 |
59549 |
65535 |
87.05 |
50344 |
57835 |
86.9 |
49460 |
56913 |
Boys |
||
|
77.09 |
14491 |
18798 |
67.46 |
11615 |
17217 |
67.05 |
11664 |
17397 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
76.8 |
15152 |
19729 |
68.29 |
12435 |
18209 |
68.06 |
12393 |
18208 |
Boys |
||
|
74.14 |
43 |
58 |
79.25 |
42 |
53 |
79.55 |
35 |
44 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
75.47 |
40 |
53 |
71.05 |
27 |
38 |
82.35 |
42 |
51 |
Boys |
||
|
88.13 |
149395 |
169509 |
82.99 |
125105 |
150741 |
82.72 |
123237 |
148986 |
Total |
||
|
97.36 |
1143 |
1174 |
98.36 |
1200 |
1220 |
98.17 |
1284 |
1308 |
Girls |
Druze |
5 |
|
97.63 |
1195 |
1224 |
98.11 |
1301 |
1326 |
98.28 |
1311 |
1334 |
Boys |
||
|
93.62 |
51409 |
54915 |
94.56 |
51078 |
54014 |
94.35 |
52990 |
56164 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
92.79 |
53533 |
57692 |
93.92 |
53547 |
57011 |
94.1 |
55837 |
59340 |
Boys |
||
|
85.86 |
14611 |
17018 |
87.77 |
15207 |
17326 |
87.37 |
16081 |
18406 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
86.42 |
15579 |
18027 |
88.5 |
16075 |
18164 |
87.52 |
17088 |
19524 |
Boys |
||
|
81.13 |
43 |
53 |
84.09 |
37 |
44 |
82.61 |
57 |
69 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
76.32 |
29 |
38 |
84.31 |
43 |
51 |
90.57 |
48 |
53 |
Boys |
||
|
91.61 |
137542 |
150141 |
92.85 |
138488 |
149156 |
92.64 |
144696 |
156198 |
Total |
||
|
85.7 |
411169 |
479777 |
80.6 |
377997 |
468971 |
81.22 |
369689 |
455196 |
Grand Total |
||
Source: The Ministry of Education, April, 2013
202. Key Findings:
(a) The percentages of enrollment according to gender are stable in the Jewish, Arab and Druze population;
(b) In the Druze education, the enrollment rate is particularly high in all three age groups over the examined years, stands at 97%-99%;
(c) In 2011-2012, the Jewish and Arab education enrollment rate of three year olds was stable; in 2013 a substantial increase was marked;
(i) Within the Jewish education there is an increase of approximately 10%.
(ii) Within the Arab education there is an increase of approximately 8%.
The difference between the enrollment rates of the Jewish and Arab population changes at the age of four.
(d) In 2011-2012, the Jewish and Arab education enrollment rate of three year olds was stable; in 2013 an increase was marked;
(i) Within the Jewish education there is an increase of approximately 4%.
(ii) Within the Arab education there is an increase of approximately 10%.
Extensive efforts are made to change the system, including investment of resources in building pre-schools. This process will take time; the differences in the implementation of the Trajtenberg Committee recommendations indicate difficulties in the construction of appropriate pre-schools required to accommodate three and four year olds.
(e) At age five, the enrollment rate is steady for all the nationalities;
(i) In the Arab education the enrollment rate is 86%-88%.
(ii) In the Jewish education the enrollment rate is 93%-94%.
(iii) In the Druze education the enrollment rate is 97%-98%.
(f) People without nationality are displayed as “other”, and this normally refers to children of parents from the former Soviet Union whose parents have not decided what nationality to give them. As these children amount to approximately 100 children per year, the focus will be on three main national groups. The Bedouin population is included under the Arab nationality.
Table 9
Enrollment Rates to Elementary Schools for Children between the ages 6-12, According to Nationality and Gender
|
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
Gender |
Nationality |
Age |
|||||||||
|
Enrollment Rate (%) |
Pupils |
Pre – school |
Registry |
Enrollment Rate (%) |
Pupils |
Pre – school |
Registry |
Enrollment Rate (%) |
Pupils |
Pre – School |
Registry |
|||
|
99 |
1,151 |
53 |
1,221 |
98 |
1,256 |
46 |
1,322 |
98 |
1,110 |
40 |
1,169 |
Girls |
Druze |
6 |
|
98 |
1,226 |
76 |
1,327 |
98 |
1,235 |
83 |
1,342 |
98 |
1,190 |
64 |
1,275 |
Boys |
||
|
93 |
42,052 |
6,284 |
51,811 |
94 |
43,983 |
7,227 |
54,405 |
94 |
40,547 |
6,123 |
49,531 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
93 |
42,746 |
8,122 |
54,846 |
93 |
44,188 |
9,375 |
57,313 |
94 |
40,437 |
8,065 |
51,866 |
Boys |
||
|
90 |
15,340 |
362 |
17,483 |
90 |
16,315 |
522 |
18,736 |
89 |
15,390 |
384 |
17,719 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
91 |
15,890 |
685 |
18,308 |
90 |
17,034 |
916 |
19,870 |
90 |
16,267 |
694 |
18,888 |
Boys |
||
|
69 |
2,542 |
309 |
4,157 |
67 |
2,469 |
353 |
4,186 |
70 |
2,227 |
299 |
3,620 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
69 |
2,452 |
499 |
4,251 |
70 |
2,580 |
525 |
4,450 |
71 |
2,235 |
481 |
3,835 |
Boys |
||
|
91 |
123,399 |
16,390 |
153,404 |
92 |
129,060 |
19,047 |
161,624 |
92 |
119,403 |
16,150 |
147,903 |
Total |
||
|
99 |
1,304 |
0 |
1,322 |
99 |
1,160 |
0 |
1,169 |
99 |
1,382 |
0 |
1,402 |
Girls |
Druze |
7 |
|
99 |
1,326 |
0 |
1,342 |
99 |
1,267 |
0 |
1,275 |
97 |
1,383 |
0 |
1,427 |
Boys |
||
|
94 |
51,062 |
2 |
54,480 |
95 |
47,072 |
0 |
49,693 |
95 |
50,829 |
2 |
53,722 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
94 |
53,747 |
9 |
57,407 |
94 |
48,967 |
1 |
51,962 |
94 |
53,217 |
1 |
56,693 |
Boys |
||
|
91 |
17,132 |
2 |
18,749 |
91 |
16,112 |
0 |
17,739 |
91 |
18,505 |
0 |
20,443 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
92 |
18,336 |
3 |
19,883 |
92 |
17,373 |
0 |
18,932 |
92 |
19,502 |
0 |
21,269 |
Boys |
||
|
68 |
2,979 |
1 |
4,373 |
69 |
2,630 |
2 |
3,832 |
71 |
2,985 |
0 |
4,215 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
70 |
3,235 |
2 |
4,592 |
70 |
2,846 |
0 |
4,079 |
71 |
3,065 |
0 |
4,339 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
149,121 |
19 |
162,148 |
92 |
137,427 |
3 |
148,681 |
92 |
150,868 |
3 |
163,510 |
Total |
||
|
99 |
1,159 |
0 |
1,169 |
99 |
1,388 |
0 |
1,402 |
99 |
1,212 |
0 |
1,228 |
Girls |
Druze |
8 |
|
99 |
1,267 |
0 |
1,275 |
98 |
1,402 |
0 |
1,427 |
98 |
1,264 |
0 |
1,289 |
Boys |
||
|
94 |
46,867 |
0 |
49,762 |
95 |
51,074 |
0 |
53,850 |
94 |
44,569 |
0 |
47,288 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
94 |
48,947 |
0 |
52,016 |
94 |
53,660 |
0 |
56,815 |
94 |
46,611 |
0 |
49,518 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
16,251 |
0 |
17,753 |
92 |
18,730 |
0 |
20,468 |
91 |
17,252 |
0 |
18,993 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
92 |
17,508 |
0 |
18,947 |
93 |
19,722 |
0 |
21,298 |
92 |
18,153 |
0 |
19,799 |
Boys |
||
|
69 |
2,697 |
0 |
3,920 |
69 |
3,022 |
0 |
4,371 |
73 |
2,716 |
0 |
3,724 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
70 |
2,918 |
0 |
4,195 |
69 |
3,108 |
0 |
4,475 |
70 |
2,673 |
0 |
3,793 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
137,614 |
0 |
149,037 |
93 |
152,106 |
0 |
164,106 |
92 |
134,450 |
0 |
145,632 |
Total |
||
|
99 |
1,388 |
0 |
1,402 |
99 |
1,214 |
0 |
1,228 |
99 |
1,250 |
0 |
1,264 |
Girls |
Druze |
9 |
|
98 |
1,401 |
0 |
1,427 |
99 |
1,270 |
0 |
1,289 |
98 |
1,374 |
0 |
1,395 |
Boys |
||
|
94 |
50,825 |
0 |
53,925 |
95 |
44,821 |
0 |
47,423 |
94 |
43,300 |
0 |
45,866 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
94 |
53,441 |
0 |
56,874 |
94 |
46,864 |
0 |
49,609 |
94 |
45,252 |
0 |
48,084 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
18,822 |
0 |
20,483 |
92 |
17,409 |
0 |
19,016 |
91 |
16,829 |
0 |
18,498 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
93 |
19,818 |
0 |
21,303 |
93 |
18,345 |
0 |
19,832 |
93 |
18,207 |
0 |
19,624 |
Boys |
||
|
69 |
3,049 |
0 |
4,441 |
71 |
2,692 |
0 |
3,798 |
70 |
2,498 |
0 |
3,584 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
68 |
3,130 |
0 |
4,581 |
69 |
2,687 |
0 |
3,921 |
70 |
2,707 |
0 |
3,848 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
151,874 |
0 |
164,436 |
93 |
135,302 |
0 |
146,116 |
92 |
131,417 |
0 |
142,163 |
Total |
||
|
99 |
1,216 |
0 |
1,228 |
99 |
1,249 |
0 |
1,264 |
99 |
1,326 |
0 |
1,340 |
Girls |
Druze |
10 |
|
99 |
1,271 |
0 |
1,289 |
99 |
1,376 |
0 |
1,395 |
99 |
1,471 |
0 |
1,482 |
Boys |
||
|
94 |
44,583 |
0 |
47,478 |
95 |
43,493 |
0 |
45,955 |
94 |
47,022 |
0 |
49,880 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
94 |
46,636 |
0 |
49,658 |
94 |
45,516 |
0 |
48,182 |
94 |
49,561 |
0 |
52,749 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
17,486 |
0 |
19,030 |
91 |
16,940 |
0 |
18,515 |
91 |
18,025 |
0 |
19,891 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
93 |
18,415 |
0 |
19,838 |
93 |
18,355 |
0 |
19,649 |
92 |
19,326 |
0 |
20,898 |
Boys |
||
|
71 |
2,732 |
0 |
3,874 |
68 |
2,513 |
0 |
3,692 |
69 |
2,664 |
0 |
3,887 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
68 |
2,717 |
0 |
3,992 |
69 |
2,743 |
0 |
3,966 |
67 |
2,732 |
0 |
4,104 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
135,056 |
0 |
146,387 |
93 |
132,185 |
0 |
142,618 |
92 |
142,127 |
0 |
154,231 |
Total |
||
|
99 |
1,249 |
0 |
1,264 |
99 |
1,328 |
0 |
1,341 |
99 |
1,153 |
0 |
1,167 |
Girls |
Druze |
11 |
|
99 |
1,377 |
0 |
1,395 |
99 |
1,470 |
0 |
1,482 |
99 |
1,323 |
0 |
1,340 |
Boys |
||
|
94 |
43,316 |
0 |
45,997 |
95 |
47,254 |
0 |
49,981 |
95 |
42,669 |
0 |
45,131 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
94 |
45,360 |
0 |
48,226 |
94 |
49,804 |
0 |
52,843 |
94 |
44,703 |
0 |
47,508 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
16,963 |
0 |
18,526 |
91 |
18,097 |
0 |
19,908 |
91 |
16,031 |
0 |
17,647 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
93 |
18,358 |
0 |
19,653 |
93 |
19,446 |
0 |
20,924 |
92 |
17,117 |
0 |
18,594 |
Boys |
||
|
67 |
2,538 |
0 |
3,772 |
67 |
2,665 |
0 |
3,975 |
66 |
2,249 |
0 |
3,417 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
68 |
2,763 |
0 |
4,054 |
65 |
2,744 |
0 |
4,226 |
67 |
2,489 |
0 |
3,732 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
131,924 |
0 |
142,887 |
92 |
142,808 |
0 |
154,680 |
92 |
127,734 |
0 |
138,536 |
Total |
||
|
98 |
1,319 |
0 |
1,341 |
98 |
1,149 |
0 |
1,167 |
98 |
1,186 |
0 |
1,211 |
Girls |
Druze |
12 |
|
99 |
1,463 |
0 |
1,482 |
99 |
1,324 |
0 |
1,340 |
98 |
1,269 |
0 |
1,290 |
Boys |
||
|
94 |
46,906 |
0 |
50,040 |
95 |
42,789 |
0 |
45,209 |
94 |
42,411 |
0 |
44,974 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
94 |
49,462 |
0 |
52,896 |
94 |
44,828 |
0 |
47,596 |
94 |
44,267 |
0 |
47,250 |
Boys |
||
|
90 |
17,995 |
0 |
19,921 |
90 |
15,957 |
0 |
17,666 |
90 |
15,740 |
0 |
17,542 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
92 |
19,275 |
0 |
20,934 |
91 |
17,011 |
0 |
18,623 |
92 |
17,053 |
0 |
18,553 |
Boys |
||
|
66 |
2,673 |
0 |
4,053 |
65 |
2,268 |
0 |
3,504 |
67 |
2,387 |
0 |
3,570 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
63 |
2,742 |
0 |
4,334 |
64 |
2,449 |
0 |
3,811 |
65 |
2,462 |
0 |
3,802 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
141,835 |
0 |
155,001 |
92 |
127,775 |
0 |
138,916 |
92 |
126,775 |
0 |
138,192 |
Total |
||
Source: The Ministry of Education, April, 2013
Table 10
Enrollment Rates for Children between the Ages 13-17 According to Nationality and Gender
|
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
Gender |
Nationality |
Age |
||||||
|
Enrolment Rate (%) |
Pupils |
Registry |
Enrollment Rate (%) |
Pupils |
Registry |
Enrollment Rate (%) |
Pupils |
Registry |
|||
|
98 |
1,147 |
1,168 |
97 |
1,177 |
1,211 |
97 |
1,279 |
1,319 |
Girls |
Druze |
13 |
|
98 |
1,316 |
1,339 |
98 |
1,264 |
1,290 |
98 |
1,354 |
1,382 |
Boys |
||
|
94 |
42,530 |
45,264 |
94 |
42,444 |
45,065 |
94 |
44,499 |
47,384 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
94 |
44,885 |
47,677 |
94 |
44,560 |
47,364 |
94 |
47,072 |
50,047 |
Boys |
||
|
90 |
15,880 |
17,673 |
90 |
15,742 |
17,556 |
89 |
15,911 |
17,856 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
91 |
16,976 |
18,628 |
91 |
16,952 |
18,576 |
91 |
17,009 |
18,671 |
Boys |
||
|
64 |
2,278 |
3,565 |
65 |
2,380 |
3,650 |
65 |
2,595 |
3,971 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
63 |
2,399 |
3,827 |
63 |
2,453 |
3,904 |
63 |
2,622 |
4,142 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
127,411 |
139,141 |
92 |
126,972 |
138,616 |
91 |
132,341 |
144,772 |
Total |
||
|
96 |
1,166 |
1,210 |
95 |
1,255 |
1,320 |
95 |
1,219 |
1,278 |
Girls |
Druze |
14 |
|
95 |
1,228 |
1,291 |
94 |
1,300 |
1,382 |
94 |
1,251 |
1,331 |
Boys |
||
|
93 |
41,975 |
45,215 |
93 |
44,332 |
47,574 |
93 |
39,731 |
42,571 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
92 |
43,904 |
47,523 |
93 |
46,560 |
50,236 |
93 |
41,586 |
44,928 |
Boys |
||
|
88 |
15,455 |
17,572 |
87 |
15,606 |
17,888 |
87 |
14,054 |
16,118 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
87 |
16,118 |
18,592 |
85 |
15,892 |
18,698 |
85 |
14,328 |
16,871 |
Boys |
||
|
62 |
2,272 |
3,643 |
62 |
2,465 |
3,965 |
62 |
2,210 |
3,567 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
60 |
2,344 |
3,915 |
60 |
2,543 |
4,207 |
59 |
2,306 |
3,933 |
Boys |
||
|
90 |
124,462 |
138,961 |
89 |
129,953 |
145,270 |
89 |
116,685 |
130,597 |
Total |
||
|
93 |
1,227 |
1,322 |
92 |
1,177 |
1,279 |
91 |
1,259 |
1,377 |
Girls |
Druze |
15 |
|
89 |
1,225 |
1,384 |
86 |
1,142 |
1,331 |
86 |
1,218 |
1,422 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
43,944 |
47,822 |
93 |
39,759 |
42,847 |
92 |
41,987 |
45,484 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
90 |
45,581 |
50,502 |
90 |
40,921 |
45,274 |
90 |
43,082 |
47,931 |
Boys |
||
|
83 |
14,910 |
17,917 |
83 |
13,474 |
16,142 |
83 |
14,154 |
17,156 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
75 |
14,014 |
18,728 |
75 |
12,598 |
16,911 |
74 |
13,419 |
18,056 |
Boys |
||
|
59 |
2,331 |
3,923 |
59 |
2,087 |
3,535 |
59 |
2,271 |
3,820 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
56 |
2,342 |
4,164 |
53 |
2,069 |
3,870 |
55 |
2,247 |
4,118 |
Boys |
||
|
86 |
125,574 |
145,762 |
86 |
113,227 |
131,189 |
86 |
119,637 |
139,364 |
Total |
||
|
90 |
1,145 |
1,278 |
89 |
1,233 |
1,379 |
92 |
1,098 |
1,189 |
Girls |
Druze |
16 |
|
81 |
1,078 |
1,333 |
82 |
1,161 |
1,422 |
82 |
1,092 |
1,335 |
Boys |
||
|
92 |
39,439 |
43,082 |
91 |
41,732 |
45,740 |
91 |
38,955 |
42,588 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
87 |
39,695 |
45,637 |
87 |
41,840 |
48,334 |
86 |
38,459 |
44,608 |
Boys |
||
|
82 |
13,257 |
16,153 |
81 |
13,910 |
17,176 |
81 |
12,119 |
15,053 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
69 |
11,750 |
16,927 |
69 |
12,430 |
18,088 |
68 |
10,864 |
16,063 |
Boys |
||
|
57 |
1,986 |
3,493 |
57 |
2,153 |
3,802 |
57 |
1,984 |
3,511 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
51 |
1,961 |
3,852 |
51 |
2,100 |
4,131 |
51 |
1,950 |
3,790 |
Boys |
||
|
84 |
110,311 |
131,755 |
83 |
116,559 |
140,072 |
83 |
106,521 |
128,137 |
Total |
||
|
85 |
1,177 |
1,379 |
89 |
1,063 |
1,191 |
89 |
1,115 |
1,255 |
Girls |
Druze |
17 |
|
79 |
1,120 |
1,423 |
78 |
1,037 |
1,334 |
77 |
1,040 |
1,349 |
Boys |
||
|
89 |
40,573 |
45,824 |
89 |
37,908 |
42,677 |
89 |
37,729 |
42,269 |
Girls |
Jewish |
|
|
78 |
37,698 |
48,642 |
77 |
34,810 |
44,935 |
77 |
34,966 |
45,157 |
Boys |
||
|
77 |
13,193 |
17,184 |
77 |
11,633 |
15,067 |
76 |
11,380 |
14,955 |
Girls |
Arab |
|
|
63 |
11,327 |
18,095 |
62 |
9,937 |
16,073 |
62 |
9,950 |
16,054 |
Boys |
||
|
54 |
2,087 |
3,844 |
52 |
1,897 |
3,616 |
54 |
1,906 |
3,534 |
Girls |
Other |
|
|
48 |
2,007 |
4,201 |
47 |
1,825 |
3,886 |
47 |
1,873 |
3,945 |
Boys |
||
|
78 |
109,182 |
140,592 |
78 |
100,110 |
128,779 |
78 |
99,959 |
128,518 |
Total |
||
Source: The Ministry of Education, April, 2013
b. Number and percentage of dropouts and repetitions
The pupil leaving the education system:
203. A pupil may leave the school in which he studied in a certain year, during the school year or after it. As a result of leaving a particular school, the pupil may enroll in a different school supervised by the Ministry of Education or leave the system all together. Generally, leaving the Ministry of Education's educational system is defined in the records as “dropping out”, regardless of whether the pupil remains outside any educational framework or if he transfers to an institution which is not under the Ministry of Education's authority.
204. The data presented in the following tables indicate pupils who have dropped out of the educational institutions under the control of the Ministry of Education and have not transferred to different institutions, under the control of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor (ITL) or “Yeshivas”. Pupils that are not considered dropouts: Pupils who left the education system and stayed at least 100 consecutive days abroad during one year, or those who left only to return the following year.
Table 11
Segregation of Dropout Rates according to Grade, Stage at School and School year
|
Grade |
School Year |
||
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
|
1 |
1307 |
933 |
852 |
|
2 |
1227 |
828 |
845 |
|
3 |
1274 |
726 |
654 |
|
4 |
1102 |
661 |
595 |
|
5 |
979 |
664 |
587 |
|
6 |
1957 |
1181 |
1152 |
|
Elementary School total |
9856 |
7014 |
6697 |
|
7 |
1596 |
800 |
844 |
|
8 |
5551 |
2454 |
2380 |
|
9 |
7373 |
3558 |
3551 |
|
Junior High School ( grades 7-9) Total |
14520 |
6812 |
6775 |
|
10 |
4326 |
3142 |
3322 |
|
11 |
5615 |
4133 |
4194 |
|
12 |
1198 |
1375 |
1334 |
|
High School ( grades 10-12) Total |
11139 |
8650 |
8850 |
|
Grand Total per School Year |
33505 |
20465 |
20310 |
Source: The Ministry of Education, April, 2013
205. Explanation regarding the table: the dropout rates are divided into age groups – elementary school, junior high school and high school, and the changes are shown in the school years 2010-2012, according to information provided by the Central Bureau of Statistics.
206. Until 2010, schools under the responsibility of the Ministry of ITL, the Ministry of Religious Services and the “Hila” program (a program for continuing education, which can act as a high school equivalent) were considered dropouts. At the end of 2010, it was decided to change these definitions and consider the pupils as non-dropouts, as they are still considered to be within a formal education system. This is the explanation for the drastic decrease in the number of dropouts between the 2010 and 2011 (the difference reflecting the number of pupils within the abovementioned programs).
207. Emphasis:
(a) In junior high school, the number of dropouts from schools under ultra-orthodox supervision is the highest: 5,057 as compared to 1,187 in the Public Religious Schools.
(b) In high school, the number of dropouts from schools in national public schools is the highest with 3,863 dropouts, whereas in the Ultra-Orthodox school there are 2,676 dropouts and 1,143 in the religious national public schools.
208. Explanation: the table displays the dropout distribution according to grade, schools (Elementary school, Junior High School and High School) and type of supervision (Ultra-orthodox, national public, and religious national public) for the Jewish population.
209. Emphasis: The 2012 school year has the highest amount of dropouts in junior high schools (3,690) and in high schools (3124) in comparison to the number of dropouts in elementary schools (1,688).
210. Explanation: the table displays the dropout distribution according to grade, schools (elementary, junior high school or high school and type of supervision (Ultra-orthodox, national public, and religious national public) for the non-Jewish population.
211. Emphasis:
(a) The highest number of dropouts is in junior high schools (7,881), amounting to 42% of all dropouts;
(b) The number of dropouts in elementary schools, 7,562 amounts to 40% of dropouts. The highest dropout rates are in 6th grade (1,262) and in 1st grade (1,175);
(c) The number of dropouts in high schools is the lowest: 5,373 dropouts, amounting to 28% of all dropouts.
212. Explanation: This table displays the dropout rates as reported by school principals to the Pupil Status Report, according to grade and school.
213. The Ministry of Education operates an internal unit of Attendance Supervisors who regularly visit schools in order to prevent children from dropping-out of school. The treatment is no different than any other pupil at the risk of dropping out of school.
(c) Teacher-pupil ratios
Pre-schools
214. Pre-schools in Israel are intended for 3-5 year olds.
‾ In educational institutions belonging to the Ministry of Education, there is one pre-school teacher and one assistant for class of 35 children divided into one or two age groups.
‾ In smaller localities, where the number of children is lower than this standard, the Ministry of Education participates in the funding according to the number of children.
‾ When the space of the pre-school is beneath the required standard of the national program, the pre-school may only admit the number of children befitting the space.
Reply to the issues raised in part III, paragraph 5, of the list of issues
215. The Youth Probation has allocated manpower to treat the arrest of minors. A national supervisor, six district supervisors (Haifa and the Northern District, Central, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and two in the Southern District) and 46 Youth Probation Officers are responsible for submitting Probation reports to the courts.
Youth Referred to the Probation Service by the court (2010-2012)
216. The data is based on the court's requirement for a probation report about the minor by the Probation Service. It should be noted that according to the Youth Law it is mandatory to submit a probation report concerning a minor held in detention until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings. Most of the minors are released to alternative substitutions for imprisonment, only a minority of them stays in detention and they are transferred to substitutes as soon as possible.
Table 16
Number of Minors According to Age
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total |
|||||
|
Age |
No. |
Percentage |
No. |
Percentage |
No. |
Percentage |
No. |
Percentage |
|
14 |
95 |
11.9 |
105 |
9.1 |
128 |
10.3 |
328 |
10.3 |
|
15 |
161 |
20.1 |
231 |
19.9 |
246 |
19.9 |
638 |
19.9 |
|
16 |
233 |
29.1 |
323 |
27.9 |
349 |
28.2 |
905 |
28.3 |
|
17 |
312 |
39 |
799 |
43.1 |
516 |
41.6 |
1327 |
41.5 |
|
Total |
801 |
100 |
1158 |
100 |
1239 |
100 |
3198 |
100 |
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, April 2013
Table 17
Number of Minors According to Geographic Location
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total |
|||||
|
Region |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
|
Jerusalem |
72 |
9 |
190 |
16.4 |
195 |
15.7 |
457 |
14.3 |
|
Southern District |
214 |
26.7 |
345 |
29.8 |
332 |
26.8 |
891 |
27.9 |
|
Tel Aviv |
148 |
18.5 |
129 |
11.1 |
159 |
12.8 |
436 |
13.6 |
|
Central District |
223 |
27.8 |
212 |
18.3 |
294 |
23.7 |
729 |
22.8 |
|
Haifa/ Northern District |
144 |
18 |
282 |
24.3 |
259 |
20.9 |
685 |
22.4 |
|
Total |
801 |
100 |
1158 |
100 |
1239 |
100 |
3198 |
100 |
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, April 2013
Table 18
Number of Minors According to Ethnic Affiliation
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total |
|||||
|
Ethnic Origin |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
|
Jews |
581 |
72.5 |
704 |
60.8 |
720 |
58.1 |
2005 |
62.5 |
|
Muslim |
154 |
19.2 |
372 |
32.1 |
439 |
35.4 |
965 |
30.2 |
|
Christian |
2 |
0.2 |
7 |
0.6 |
5 |
0.4 |
14. |
0.4 |
|
Druze |
1 |
0.1 |
4 |
0.3 |
3 |
0.2 |
8 |
0.3 |
|
Other |
9 |
1.1 |
16 |
1.4 |
34 |
2.7 |
59 |
1.8 |
|
Unknown |
54 |
6.7 |
55 |
4.7 |
38 |
3.1 |
147 |
4.6 |
|
Total |
801 |
100 |
1158 |
100 |
1269 |
100 |
3198 |
100 |
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, April 2013
Table 19
Number of Minors According to Gender
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total |
|||||
|
Gender |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
|
Male |
782 |
97.6 |
1121 |
96.8 |
1199 |
96.8 |
3102 |
97 |
|
Female |
19 |
2.4 |
37 |
3.2 |
40 |
3.2 |
96 |
3 |
|
Total |
801 |
100 |
1158 |
100 |
1239 |
100 |
3198 |
100 |
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, April 2013
Youth Sentenced to Imprisonment and Community Service (2010-2012):
Table 20
Number of Minors According to Age
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total |
|||||
|
Age |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
|
14 |
13 |
4.14 |
8 |
3.41 |
8 |
3.17 |
29 |
3.675 |
|
15 |
49 |
15.6 |
40 |
17.09 |
44 |
17.46 |
133 |
16.625 |
|
16 |
103 |
32.8 |
65 |
27.77 |
78 |
30.95 |
246 |
30.75 |
|
17 |
149 |
47.45 |
121 |
51.7 |
122 |
48.41 |
392 |
49 |
|
Total |
314 |
100 |
234 |
100 |
252 |
100 |
800 |
100 |
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, April 2013
Table 21
Number of Minors According to Geographic Location
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total |
|||||
|
Region |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
|
Jerusalem |
39 |
12.4 |
38 |
16.2 |
30 |
11.9 |
107 |
13.4 |
|
Southern District |
70 |
22.3 |
44 |
18.8 |
83 |
32.9 |
197 |
24.6 |
|
Tel Aviv |
45 |
14.3 |
30 |
12.8 |
30 |
11.9 |
105 |
13.1 |
|
Central District |
56 |
17.8 |
33 |
14.1 |
35 |
13.9 |
124 |
15.5 |
|
Haifa Northern District |
104 |
33.1 |
89 |
38 |
74 |
29.4 |
267 |
33.4 |
|
Total |
314 |
100 |
234 |
100 |
252 |
100 |
800 |
100 |
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, April 2013
Table 22
Number of Minors According to Ethnic Affiliation
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total |
|||||
|
Ethnic Origin |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
|
Jews |
128 |
40.8 |
109 |
46.6 |
92 |
36.5 |
329 |
41.1 |
|
Muslim |
156 |
49.7 |
112 |
47.9 |
146 |
57.9 |
414 |
51.8 |
|
Christian |
1 |
0.3 |
1 |
0.4 |
0 |
0.0 |
2 |
0.3 |
|
Druze |
2 |
0.6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0.4 |
3 |
0.4 |
|
Other |
2 |
0.6 |
1 |
0.4 |
4 |
1.6 |
7 |
0.9 |
|
Unknown |
25 |
8 |
11 |
4.7 |
9 |
3.6 |
45 |
5.6 |
|
Total |
314 |
100 |
234 |
100 |
252 |
100 |
800 |
100 |
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, April 2013
Table 23
Number of Minors According to Gender
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total |
|||||
|
Gender |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
No |
Percentage |
|
Male |
312 |
99.4 |
232 |
99.1 |
249 |
98.8 |
793 |
99.1 |
|
Female |
2 |
0.6 |
2 |
0.9 |
3 |
1.2 |
7 |
0.9 |
|
Total |
314 |
100 |
234 |
100 |
252 |
100 |
800 |
100 |
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, April 2013
The Youth Protection Authority – Institutional substitutes for incarceration
217. Substitute for incarceration “Beit Ziv” Central Region (male adolescents)
218. 2010 – Number of acceptances: 47, 14 returned to prison, 25 continued to different frameworks and eight returned home.
219. 2011: Number of acceptances: 43, 14 returned to prison, 22 continued to different frameworks and nine returned home.
220. 2012: Number of acceptances: 50, 17 did not finish the process (10 of them returned to prison), 23 continued to different frameworks, three returned to the community and seven are still in the institution.
Substitute for incarceration “Hashita” Southern Region (male and female adolescents)
221. 2010 : The data was gathered only from June 2010: Number of acceptances: 13, 14 returned to prison, 25 continued to different frameworks and eight returned home.
222. 2011: Number of acceptances: 55, 17 did not finish the three mandatory month sentenced by the court. The reasons for leaving: six escaped, 10 were arrested for the commission of serious crimes and one returned home.
223. 2012: Number of acceptances: 50, 13 continued to different frameworks, 10 were arrested, 10 escaped, four returned to the community, 13 are still in the institution (six are waiting to be transferred to different frameworks).
224. Since June 2012, “Rotem” a special group institution for female adolescents was opened as a substitute for incarceration and as part of the Hashita institution: Number of acceptances: 13, one continued to different frameworks, one went back to prison at the end of her stay, four returned to the community, one returned to the community, six escaped or were arrested, four are still in the institution.
Arrest and Incarceration by the Israeli Prisons Service (IPS)
225. In Israel there are six detention facilities for minors in the process of the pre-trial detention: Kishon and Tzalmon in the North, Shikma and Ohaley Kiedar in the South, in the Jerusalem Regional Unit, and in the Tel Aviv Regional Unit. In these detention facilities, according to the IPS, within 24 hours, the minor must meet with a social worker. However, from the moment that a request for a detention until the conclusion of proceeding is submitted and until the 24 hours end, the minors are to be transferred from the detention facility to the Ofek Prison.
226. Ofek Prison- An independent prison for minors that was established in 2001 (since 2004 is in the “Hadarim” site). The prison has 240 vacancies that are spread on four mixed wings, there is no distinction between detainees and prisoners. Most of the minors staying at Ofek Prison are detainees and this dictates the amount of involvement in the facility, when more prisoners were staying, the staff was able to build long term programs, that is very difficult with detainees. Each minor that arrives at the facility meets immediately with the social workers, even if they arrive at midnight. If the minor arrives and there is a social worker specializing with minors he will meet with him/her. If not, the minor will meet with a social worker that is wide ranged who will give him his/her acceptance interview.
227. Detention of female minors in IPS- Two peripheral detention facilities for the pre-trial detention: Kishon and the Jerusalem Regional Unit. From the moment that a request for a detention until the conclusion of proceedings is submitted and until the 24 hours end, the minors are meant to be transferred from the detention facility to the Neve Tirza Prison that has a small unit for female minors.
_____________
Document symbol: CRC/C/ISR/Q/2-4/Add.1
Document Type: Addendum, List, Reply
Document Sources: Committee on the Rights of the Child
Country: Israel
Subject: Children, Convention: Rights of the Child, Education and culture, Golan Heights, Health, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Legal issues, Living conditions, Prisoners and detainees, Security issues, Women
Publication Date: 27/05/2013
Document Type: Addendum, List, Reply
Document Sources: Committee on the Rights of the Child
Country: Israel
Subject: Children, Convention: Rights of the Child, Education and culture, Golan Heights, Health, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Legal issues, Living conditions, Prisoners and detainees, Security issues, Women
Publication Date: 27/05/2013