10th April 2003
To:
Those who devoted their time to education, those who have enlightened us, initiators of future and just projects, HILA activists and members.
Dear friends,
The parents’ committee of Aleph Primary School, which has been elected for two [years] running years, would hereby like to present the continuing successes achieved within the school in particular and in the village in general.
Just two short years ago, the young people of our village were trying to find their way, without any professional guidance. They had desires, demands and requests, but to no avail. There was no one to guide and support them. Their requests and demands were just. They were also based on the education laws and the freedom of information laws, but the way they presented their problems was not directed at the right people. As such, they only succeeded in making a lot of noise and fighting.
They wanted to be partners in their educational system, with clear limits regarding their involvement, but they met a brick wall at every attempt. And then the “miracle” happened.
The first contacts were made with HILA organizers, and from those first moments, HILA devoted its time to our project in Jaljulya, They heard and listened to all the people who had become so bitter. They listened to the parents who were worried about their children; they heard absurd things. But they didn’t give up and started a long journey with us. As the journey began, so did the arguments between parents and the teaching staff and those in charge of the staff in the village.
But these people – the concerned parents – did not give in and the support provided by HILA strengthened them beyond belief.
The powers that be in the Ministry of Education stood dumbfounded at the parents’ requests.
- The village of Jaljulya never dreamt that the Ministry of Education administrators would come and visit our rather miserable school.
- The school principal and supervisors couldn’t believe that the day would come when parents would succeed in learning their rights and standing up for them, demanding actions.
- The Israeli Parliament never imagined that these people would enter the sacred walls of the Parliament and meet with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Education Committee – and demand their rights.
- The school administration never imagined in their wildest dreams that a parent committee would ask and insist on being incorporated into the Pedagogical Council – the highest body dealing with school policy.
- The school administration never dreamt that the day would come when a review committee would be established to review their performance level in a wide number of areas such as teacher absence, illegal payment requests, feedback reports, suspensions and drop-out problems etc.
- The school administration never dreamt that the day would come when the physical state of the school would have to be dealt with in a way that left no room for misunderstanding.
These are just some of our modest achievements. It is all thanks to HILA – an organization that backed the parents until the very end, guiding and supporting us all the way and continually checking the results. We are filled with hope that this organization will be able to help other Arab villages faced with educational problems. This is an organization that enabled all the parents to discuss what concerned them most – education. The biggest achievement has been the fact that today a Central Township Parents’ Committee has been elected. This was once a dream and has now become a reality.
Our deep-felt thanks to those who have lovingly guided so many concerned parents and students, enriching us and helping us move forward.
Our thanks are extended to HILA.
Yours sincerely,
Parents’ Committee
“Aleph” Primary School
Jaljulya