A movement for the promotion of integrity, consideration for others, a serious work ethic and a strong identification with Israel.
A non-profitable organization not affiliated to any political or religious movement.
Phone 02-6422347, 0544-334051
A serious call for volunteers
EDUCATION NEEDS A BOOST
AS private citizens there's not much we can do to improve the school curriculum. Nevertheless there is much that we can do on a one-on-one basis. There are thousands of pupils of all ages throughout the country who are unable to keep up with their school syllabus. There are a number of reasons why they lag behind their classmates − lack of concentration, lack of discipline, uninspiring teachers and too many pupils in each class, as well as other reasons. But for the moment the reasons are not the issue. In many cases the solution to scholastic failure is private tuition. But private tuition is an expensive proposition. Many parents are unable to pay the cost of private lessons.
For many of their children, the bagrut certificate is an impossible goal and they become school dropouts. As adults a large percentage of them will always struggle to make ends meet because the lack of a matriculation certificate will seriously limit their ability to find even average-paying jobs. Many will lead unproductive lives and be unable to fend for themselves financially and some will even become a burden on the state. Many won't be able to serve constructively and effectively in the army.
What we can do as private citizens ?…
There are a number of organizations that provide free tutoring for struggling pupils whose parents are unable to pay regular tutoring costs. We got in touch with a number of these organizations and found that they all do fine work. The most appropriate, however, seemed to be "Gamla" which is part of the JDC (the Joint) which has been providing tutoring throughout the country since the year 2001. We are working with "Gamla" and have directed over 50 people of all ages to take part in this vital work. Volunteers include retired teachers, academics and others − even high school students − willing to spend a few hours each week, tutoring one or more pupils. There is a need to help pupils in all school subjects, but especially in math, English, Hebrew grammar, sciences, history, geography, Bible and Arabic.
There are pupils from lower primary school to twelfth grade who are benefitting from the tutoring. But there is a huge need for more volunteers. In many cases a pupil's scholastic career can be doomed already in grade one. If after the first year of school a pupil is still having difficulty in reading, or flummoxed by simple arithmetic, a pattern of failure is established which might accompany him for life. Often, all that's needed is a few extra lessons in these subjects to help the pupil catch up with his classmates and thus enable him to flow with the school curriculum until his bagrut. In order to help a pupil in a lower grade, it is not essential to have a college degree. Anyone with empathy and patience, who has twelve years of schooling or even a little less, can help a second or third grader with his Hebrew reading and with other subjects. Also many pupils falter with English at the outset. This is certainly where most Anglo-Saxons can help. A higher academic level is probably needed to help kids in high school, especially with the more specialized subjects.
We call on anyone who can help. The project is especially suitable for pensioners with time and energy to spare. Can you help? Can you find an hour (or more) per week?
Please give the issue some thought. It's very, very important! Thank you.
Call Rafi Dobrin, Tel. 02-6422347 or 0544-334051. Or e-mail dan-dob@internet-zahav.net
