Education minister: More combat soldiers needed
Sa'ar visits military recruit center, promises full cooperation between education system and IDF
Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar held a visit Wednesday to the Israel Defense Forces recruit center at Tel Hashomer and told Ynet he would promote full collaboration with the army and the introduction of army officers into schools with the aim of increasing motivation for army service.
Brigadier-General Avi Zamir, commander of the IDF Personnel Directorate, presented Sa'ar with data indicating a 4% increase in combat service recruitment as well as an increase in youths' motivation to serve in the army.
Sa'ar tours military induction center (Photo: Muki Schwartz)
Minister Sa'ar accompanied new recruits in the enlistment process, taking a special interest in their motivation. Sa'ar said that he finds it particularly important to encourage girls to enlist in combat service, being the former chairman of the Knesset Committee for the Advancement of Women.
Previously the decision to introduce officers into schools had raised the protest of various organizations which claimed that educational establishments must be separated from the army. The education minister stated, "The education system welcomes a full collaboration with the IDF. I feel positively regarding the introduction of officers into schools."
Minister Sa'ar also stressed that "some of the parameters of the success of an educational establishment are matriculation eligibility, social values and dropout prevention. Military service is an important parameter. Schools in which dropout rates are low should allow a special effort for raising recruitment rates."
The minister was expected to meet with the IDF chief of staff as well as with school principals in order to devise methods of improving his goal. Sa'ar also wished to examine the schools in which dropout rates are relatively low.
