Orthodox educators complained today that the religious school network in Israel has been “underprivileged” for years and is “not going to take it any longer.” Rabbi Zvi Moshe Neriah, a Knesset member who heads the Bnei Akiba Yeshivot, acknowledged a report by the Education Ministry last week that religious schools are now getting over six percent more of the new school buildings than the general school system. But, he said, the ministry failed to disclose that in past years, religious schools received 60 percent less than the others of new school construction, Under Israel law the State supports two school systems, one religious and the other general. There is also an independent religious school network run without state support by the Agudat Israel. However, it receives support from many local authorities. The National Religious Party is demanding the portfolio of education and culture for itself in the new Cabinet. But observers here believe it will settle for a deputy minister ship. The Education Minister has been traditionally drawn from Labor ranks.
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