Jerusalem – Wednesday 9 September 2015. The Office of Christian Schools will hold today Wednesday 9 September a press conference at the Christian Media Center (CMC ) in Jerusalem to discuss the open strike meant to protest against the progressive reduction of subsidies, imposed by the Ministry of Education on Christian schools. On the other hand, the Secretariat General of the Christian Schools in Palestine sent a message of solidarity to Fr Abdel Massih Fahim, OFM.
Today at 2 pm, a press conference will take place at Christian Media enter (CMC) where the crisis of the Christian schools and the open strike will be discussed. Over the last 10 years the Ministry of Education strived to reduce the budget of Christian school to the point of depriving them of 45 % of subsidies.
Consequently, the Office of Christian Schools took measures, including the declaration of an open strike in these schools as of 1 September, day of resumed school year, and the holding of demonstrations. The last strike took place last Monday in front of the office of the PM Benjamin Netanyahu. In sign of solidarity with Christian schools, other Arab schools in the country took part in this strike, following the decision taken by the National Committee of leaders of Arab local authorities.
Further, the Office of Christian Schools in Palestine wrote a message of solidarity to Fr Abdel Massih Fahim where the heads of Palestinian schools affirmed the importance of the role played by the Office of Christian Schools to protect the rights of students.
Saher Kawas
Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
