From now on, only Israeli music to be played at schools
Education Minister instructed schools to play only Israeli music over loudspeakers during study breaks.
By Or Kashti Tags: Israel newsEducation Minister Gideon Sa'ar (Likud) Tuesday instructed school principals to play only Israeli music over loudspeakers to mark study breaks and to use Israeli songs more frequently in school ceremonies.
The directive comes as part of Sa'ar's efforts to promote Hebrew in the school system during the coming school year, which has been designated "Hebrew language year."
Schools have been directed to make particular use of songs by Israeli composers and songwriters about the country. Each school can make its own choice of songs, with the goal of "exposing the children from a young age to Israeli culture," ministry officials said.
About two weeks ago the Education Ministry announced that next year, classes would begin daily in elementary and junior high schools with a five-minute discussion of the sources of a Hebrew word or common mistakes.
"Public discourse is based on a meager vocabulary, numerous mistakes and difficulties in written and oral expression," Sa'ar said.
In the coming weeks a program is to be developed suitable for elementary and junior high schools to develop language skills and improve the culture of debate. The program will include "acquaintance with the linguistic heritage and history of the Hebrew culture," an official said.
MK Ilan Ghilon (Meretz) said Tuesday the use of Hebrew songs to mark breaks was "a first-class educational mistake, which will attain the opposite of its goal."
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I have a radio show here in Canada, the Canadian Content rule is 35% Canadian a week, and 35% a day between 6am and 6pm. For the national broadcaster, CBC, the requirement is 50%. And far as I know there's nothing about schools having to play Canadian music. I actually can't remember any music being played in schools as part of a program when I was there.
I don't think any of the posters on this article know what they're talking about. The music that I think the Minister's referring to is the music that is played to mark a break or a change of class. In most Israeli schools it's a chime that plays the first few bars of a tune. Having lived close to a number of schools in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv these are extremely annoying. I've had Glen Miller's "In the Mood" played every 40 minutes; and in one school in Ranaana my friends have to contend with "We wish you a Merry Christmas" (the school didn't know the origin of the tune). If you think this sort of music is instilling awareness or multiculturalism - try living beside one of these schools and putting up with tunes that sound like they came from a child's Xylophone!
Isn't it better for kids to learn foreign languages by listening to songs, and by watching tv/movies?! In Germany and Italy years ago (and perhaps still today?) movies and tv shows from abroad were dubbed into German and Italian. With the result that kids growing up only knew their own language. Kids learn from hearing foreign words, especially by music. Nowadays kids need to be well educated in foreign languages. Hebrew is naturally, the number one language in Israel, followed by Arabic, English, Russian and now French (due to all those immigrants who made Israel grow). Multiple language school system is growing rapidly in Europe. Good for the future of all pupils.
Subjecting a captive audience to Haim Mozard, Daron Beethoven, and Roni Bach isn't such a bad idea. Gideon Sa'ar convinces me that there is a case for sending him to a kindergarten for politicians.
I don't see the point! Israelis are already SO in-love with Hebrew, why 'ban' foreign music? This is not the best way to promote the Hebrew language. Maybe going to Allenby street and making the shop-owners write their signs in Hebrew rather than Russian would be a good way to start.
they should start playing DAM in the schools. the members of DAM are israeli citizens. if you haven't heard them yet, check them out on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqbDiN2uYcQ&feature=related
In Canada, on the radio, I think about 60% of the music must be Canadian. I can understand wanting to promote Israeli music. I am not sure I would agree with say a complete shut out foreign music. That might be too much.
PLaying only Israeli Music at school. Am I to believe this is going to make kids feel greater pride in being narrow minded Israelis instead of global people? If this is what Jewish culture in Israel is to be, then take your Aliyah and stuff it. American Jews are proud to be American because we are more tolerant than you bigots....
It is ridiculous in this day and age to try to enforce cultural terms on anyone. The French do something similar. Having a quota on non-French songs played on the radio.It does not work. The kids at school with their MP3 music players, can down load any type of music they want. This smacks of the old Soviet Union. The plan will not achieve its intended goal. As MK Ilan Ghilon said "a first-class educational mistake, which will attain the opposite of its goal." Time and time again it has been proved you can't force people into a cultural straight jacket.
"From now on only Israeli music to be played in schools." Sure sounds like Mao Tse Tung's state control over music in the schools of 'democratic' Israel!