Although student enrollment in Israel’s trade schools has reached an all time peak with the recently opened new school year, large numbers of Israeli youngsters are being turned away because of lack of space, according to a report made public today by the American ORT Federation.
The ORT trade schools, which form the largest system of vocational education in Israel, admitted 1,979 new students to classes that started in September and October. The ORT student body reached a high point of 4,444 about 20 percent above last year. Since this does not include adult courses which start later, and a number of special programs, the report anticipates that total admission for the entire year may reach as high as 8,500.
Despite these positive advances, the report noted that more than 1,000 youth who applied for admission to ORT schools could not be accepted; many of them even after having qualified on admission examinations. At the newly opened Syngalowski ORT Center at Tel Aviv, for example the report notes, there were five times as many applicants as vacancies. At the Ramat Gan ORT Institute for laboratory assistants, four times as many applicants.
Observing that the sharp rise in the youth population of Israel is due to continue and increase for many years, the report warned of the danger of an undereducated generation and a deficiency of technically trained people unless the entire secondary level, and the trade schools in particular, are accorded far higher priority. The ORT program of vocational schools in 22 cities and towns of Israel receives support from the JBC out of United Jewish Appeal Funds.
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