We fought for access to Education for all, so that every child can learn remotely. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of Israel’s schools, children are required by law to participate in online Zoom lesions. However, children from disadvantaged backgrounds often have no available online devices at home, so they cannot participate in the lessons.

NIF grantee Zazim – Community Action led a campaign “a computer for every child now” to help the estimated 400-500,000 Israeli schoolchildren who do not have access to an online computer at home, working closely with the Israel National Parents Association.

Our grantees also addressed the widening education gaps and the issue of digital inclusion as it affected the two population groups who face the biggest challenges; namely within the ultra-orthodox and Israeli Arab communities. For example NIF grantee the New Haredim, in cooperation with the Education Ministry, initiated a pilot programme for haredi school children providing classes in core secular subjects via video platform.

In cooperation with the Education Ministry, the New Haredim is initiating a pilot programme for haredi school children providing classes in core secular subjects via video platform. The Follow-up Committee for Arab Education (Committee) both highlighted the gaps faced by Israeli Arab kids to the Ministry of Education who in summer 2020 allocated additional funding to bring the Arab educational system’s remote learning capacity up to standard. The Committee also worked with educators to develop specific initiatives such as enlisting book donations from Arab authors and computer donations.