Teachers’ Strike Delays Start of School Year for Amal High School Students Amid Ongoing War

On Sunday, over two million children across Israel began the new school year, but for half a million high school students, the day was marked by empty classrooms due to a teachers’ strike. The strike stems from a prolonged dispute over wages and work contracts between the Education Ministry and the Secondary Schools Teachers Association. Despite intense negotiations late Saturday night, no agreement was reached, leading to the strike’s official start.

Among the affected students are thousands of high schoolers from the Amal Educational Network, one of Israel’s largest educational systems. While Amal serves a total of 30,000 students across its high schools, middle schools, and vocational colleges for practical engineers, the strike is currently impacting only its high school students. The disruption comes at a particularly challenging time for these students, who have faced continuous upheavals from the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing war.

The strike, which primarily affects grades 10-12 nationwide, has also spared institutions dedicated to special education. In some schools, 9th-grade classes have been affected at the discretion of school principals. Schools that are close to the border near Gaza and Lebanon have remained open, with enhanced security measures provided by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and local security teams. Amal Educational Network, like many others, is hopeful that the disputes will be resolved promptly. The goal is to restore a sense of normalcy and routine for students who have endured significant challenges over the past few years.