Free after-school activities for 33,000 kids in the North
The Education Ministry launched the After School Activity for Every Child program on Tuesday, a program that will afford free after-school activities for some 33,000 pupils.
The program’s launch will reach 93 communities in the North, and is intended to reach fourth- and fifth-graders in the Jewish sector, and fourth- to sixth-graders in the non-Jewish sector.
According to the plan, the total cost of this program is NIS 44 Million, which equals about NIS 1,290 per pupil. The program is not “totally free” with the requirement of a “symbolic” NIS 10 fee per month.
Activities range from music to sports, art and science, and also includes language studies.
Sports was found to be the most popular activity with 690 groups established. There is also a variety of options within the sports extracurricular activity including basketball, soccer, gymnastics and martial arts.
This program is part of the ministry’s plan to strengthen education in the North through this budgetary investment.
According to the Education Ministry, the overall aim of this program is to “reduce gaps and expand opportunities for every student in order for them to have a smoother transition into higher education institutions and eventually lead them into career paths in the fields of science, environment and technology, regardless of their socioeconomic status or where they live.”
Education Minister, Naftali Bennett, who will address the Jerusalem Post’s annual conference on December 6, attended Tuesday’s launch of the program in Karmiel.
“I am happy that we have given these 33,000 children an opportunity to develop their special talents,” he said. “As part of this comprehensive program to promote education in the North, I am pleased to launch an After School Activity for Every Child [program] which will enable every pupil a real opportunity and a fair starting point.”
“I believe that talent is not divided by area codes and that every child can succeed if given the opportunity,” Bennett said.