Israeli Teachers agree to go on trips, High School students go back to school

Last week Israeli Teachers and Students both were under a lot of stress.  The teachers called off the Annual School trip, which usually is for at least two days.  The reason?  A boy, about two years ago, died while  swimming while on an overnight trip, and the teacher is being held responsible.  The teacher was not a life guard, so the students should not have been swimming without a trained lifeguard.  The teachers refused to let themselves be criminally charged while on trips, but most students really look forward to the overnight trip and it is the highlight of the year, even if the trip occurs early rather than at the end of the year.

The teachers should not be the ones who are responsible for the safety of students while on outside trips, there should be  trained emergency personnel on each trip.  A teacher is hired because of the expertise in teaching the academic subject matter, not if the person is a lifeguard or other professional.

The parents should think carefully whether to send children and teenagers on overnight trips.  There should be safety guidelines for the students to abide by, and I would demand that if the teacher make sure that the students know what is allowed and what is not allowed.  The final responsibility of the students is the school where we parents entrust our children.  If there is not the proper amount of "hadarah"  then I would not let my child go on any trip.

And I write my name: Rachael Alice Orbach