Report to the ... Zionist Congress and to the Council of the Jewish Agency in ... · 1935-08-01 · 8.1935 · p. Seite 386

■'education department, and who collaborated with Dr. Berkson during his period of office. Several changes for the better took place in the internal 'organisation of education. During the last two years the salaries to the teachers were paid punctually at the end of each month, and, moreover, during the first half of 5694, the teachers' arrears for the months July—September, 5693, were paid. The payment of these arrears was made possible by a loan of <£P. 25,000 which the Vaad Leumi obtained from Barclays Bank with the guarantee of the Jewish Agency, and which has since been repaid by the Jewish Agency from the proceeds of the £P. 500,000 loan. After many years of financial stringency, the payment of the teachers' salaries has at last been ensured. The teachers will now be able to devote themselves to their specific tasks, and the central administration is no longer threatened with teachers' strikes, which considerably hindered the progress of education in the country. The standard of teachers' salaries is comparatively low. The teachers make frequent demands for the increase of their salaries to accord with the high cost of living. A special committee dealt with this problem and certain changes were introduced, which have now been approved by the Administrative Board and the Vaad Leumi. In order to secure the teachers' position in old age, the establishment of a Pensions Fund is essential. A special committee dealt with the drawing up oi a Pensions Fund scheme, and it was .agreed that, beginning from 5695, 5 per cent, should be deducted from the teachers' salaries and an equal contribution made by the administration for the establishment of a Pensions Fund. The ordinary budget for 5695 does not yet include the contribution towards the Pensions Fund. . The Board intends to cover this expense from the supplementary contribution due from the Government since April, 1935, but the Pensions Fund will appear in the budget items for 5696. A number of teachers were pensioned during the last two years on the basis of paying them half their salaries. The enrolment of pupils and teachers has increased. Various committees were formed for the purpose of drawing up a curriculum, paying special attention to the improvement of certain subjects which were neglected in the schools, such as nature study, gymnastics, drawing, etc. More attention has been paid to practical work in the schools. Some of the schools added Domestic Science to their syllabus. -More attention was also paid to gardening instruction in the schools with the help of the Government Education and Agricultural Departments, and teachers' extension courses for poultry breeding and bee-keeping were established. A new syllabus was drawn up for the schools in the colonies in harmony with the rural surroundings. A special committee is dealing with the questions of employment of pupils outside the schools, scouts, clubs and youth organisations. Steps have been taken to improve the 386