Trade Union Friends of Israel:
Israel Teachers Union (ITU)

The Dovrat Report is the name given to a wide ranging reform program for Israel's education system proposed by commission set up in 2004 under the leadership of Shlomo Dovrat, reporting in 2005. The report included contentious proposals including longer working hours and an end to Friday working.

The Dovrat Report is proving highly contentious for teachers and the Israel Teachers Union, there was no union representation on the commission and as proposals are required to be budget neutral, the money to fund many of the reforms will have to come from cutting teacher numbers. The ITU is concerned that the number of teachers dismissed could run into tens of thousands, leading to a major increase in pupil to teacher ratios, whilst increasing remaining staff hours without a proportionate rise in salaries, and the introduction of performance related pay. There is further concern about the support the Dovrat proposals would give to private schools, with the fear of widening inequality.

To read the ITU's Point for Point Response to the Dovrat Report Download file

The Israel Teachers Union was founded in 1903 a group of teachers in Palestine. It has since become the largest individual trade union in Israel with over 100,000 members, teachers from all levels of education: kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, seminars and colleges. Throughout its years of activity the Israel Teachers Union has gained impressive achievements for its members, running many schemes to help its members job security and professional development.

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