Israeli youngsters will begin their compulsory schooling a year earlier and complete it a year later if Deputy Premier and Education Minister Yigal Allon is successful in pressing for legislation to extend compulsory free education for an additional two years.
The proposed legislation would require children to enter kindergarten at age four instead of age five as at present and to complete the 10th grade of high school at age 16. At present, students are only required to complete the 9th grade. Education beyond that grade is optional and not paid for by the State.
Allon is asking for an extension of compulsory schooling on the recommendations of a committee of educators and psychologists headed by Prof. Seymour Fox, director of the Hebrew University’s School of Education.
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