This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/03/israel-school-textbook-sex-education
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Israel orders school textbook publishers to remove sex education material | Israel orders school textbook publishers to remove sex education material |
| (14 days later) | |
| Israeli education authorities have ordered the removal of sex education material from textbooks destined for state religious junior high schools in a move attacked by liberal reformists as a capitulation to ultra-Orthodox extremism. | Israeli education authorities have ordered the removal of sex education material from textbooks destined for state religious junior high schools in a move attacked by liberal reformists as a capitulation to ultra-Orthodox extremism. |
| The publishers of scientific textbooks have been told to revise content related to human reproduction and contraception aimed at pupils under the age of 15. | The publishers of scientific textbooks have been told to revise content related to human reproduction and contraception aimed at pupils under the age of 15. |
| Such material "does not fit in with the educational outlook for junior high school students in the state religious system", said a statement from the education ministry. | Such material "does not fit in with the educational outlook for junior high school students in the state religious system", said a statement from the education ministry. |
| It had requested "targeted adjustments" to ensure that textbooks "include texts and reading materials in the spirit of the state religious education system". | It had requested "targeted adjustments" to ensure that textbooks "include texts and reading materials in the spirit of the state religious education system". |
| State education in Israel is divided into religious and secular sectors for Jewish children, with separate schools for Arab children. Many ultra-Orthodox Jews send their children to segregated private schools, with strict controls on curricula, behaviour and dress. Around a quarter of Israeli children attend ultra-Orthodox schools, according to 2010 data – a figure that is steadily rising. | State education in Israel is divided into religious and secular sectors for Jewish children, with separate schools for Arab children. Many ultra-Orthodox Jews send their children to segregated private schools, with strict controls on curricula, behaviour and dress. Around a quarter of Israeli children attend ultra-Orthodox schools, according to 2010 data – a figure that is steadily rising. |
| Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israeli Religious Action Centre, which advocates progressive Judaism, described the education ministry's move as a "slippery slope". | Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israeli Religious Action Centre, which advocates progressive Judaism, described the education ministry's move as a "slippery slope". |
| "When we start filtering science for modesty reasons, that in the end will hinder our ability to teach science to Israeli children," she said. | "When we start filtering science for modesty reasons, that in the end will hinder our ability to teach science to Israeli children," she said. |
| "Teaching children about these subjects in a factual and respectful way is not in any way an affront to religion." | "Teaching children about these subjects in a factual and respectful way is not in any way an affront to religion." |
| The move should be seen in the context of the growing influence of rightwing rabbis in Israel. "Modesty considerations are being used as a political tool to keep women 'in their place'," she said. | The move should be seen in the context of the growing influence of rightwing rabbis in Israel. "Modesty considerations are being used as a political tool to keep women 'in their place'," she said. |
| Some elements of the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel have campaigned in recent years to remove images of women from advertising hoardings, and impose gender segregation on buses and in other public spheres. | Some elements of the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel have campaigned in recent years to remove images of women from advertising hoardings, and impose gender segregation on buses and in other public spheres. |
| The education ministry said the changes did not cover pictures of women. "The image of women has a place and expression in school textbooks," it said. | The education ministry said the changes did not cover pictures of women. "The image of women has a place and expression in school textbooks," it said. |
| It added: "It should be pointed out that the targeted adjustments are not intended to change the goals of the educational programme." | It added: "It should be pointed out that the targeted adjustments are not intended to change the goals of the educational programme." |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |
Previous version
1
Next version