The issue of the integration of the ultra-Orthodox into Israeli society, economically and socially, is one of the most important Israel faces domestically. One of the biggest obstacles to doing so is the independent and separate school systems of most of the ultra-Orthodox streams, from Shas to the Lithuanians to the Hasidim, where every Hasidic sect has its own educational institutions. The solution devised in 2014 by then-Education Minister Shai Piron of establishing an ultra-Orthodox public school system has gotten a big push in the new government — also in light of growing demand for it among the ultra-Orthodox.

For decades, the state has fought to bring curricula into the ultra-Orthodox schools that could help young ultra-Orthodox integrate into the job market, with “core subjects” such as English, mathematics and especially science, but without success.

Thus, according to the state comptroller’s report from last year, only 3% of ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students qualify for matriculation. Most teachers haven’t been certified to teach subjects that aren’t religious — 95% of math teachers haven’t received any training in math — and 40% of textbooks aren’t up-to-date. Add to that, 84% of ultra-Orthodox middle and high school students haven’t learned subjects like math, English and science at all. State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman determined “there are deep knowledge gaps among ultra-Orthodox students that will make it difficult for them and impact the productivity of the market as a whole.”

In 2014, Piron — of the Yesh Atid Party, which was created by Yair Lapid (currently foreign minister and alternate prime minister) — decided to circumvent the ultra-Orthodox independent school systems and establish a public ultra-Orthodox system. It would teach advanced religious studies in the ultra-Orthodox style but also include “regular” studies in core subjects that would prepare young people to integrate into the market.