Although in Haifa there is a magnificent and expensive center for maritime education, on the Pacific coast, most students in Haifa do not get to enjoy it during their studies
Watch the interview we had with Shabtai Lebi and Dr. Oded Hershko=
Photography: Michal Yaron, editing: Chai Fe newsroom
My students in the schools in Haifa can see the sea from their classroom window, but sometimes during their 12 years of schooling they come to the seashore only a few times, if at all. The reasons for this are varied and range from a lack of awareness of what a student can gain from marine activities to a lack of budgeting and interest on the part of school administrators. Undoubtedly, if about 30 years ago there were students in middle school who were engaged in marine activities one day a week for an entire year, there is a possibility to renew this tradition here in Haifa, and perhaps also set an example for the rest of the country.
Center for Maritime Education - Pacific Coast - Haifa
Today, a variety of elementary schools from Haifa and its surroundings come every week to sail along the Pacific coast. On rainy days they sit and study in the classrooms. Some schools combine marine activity with regular classes such as math and literature, which are taught after the marine activity.
The Ministry of Education is raising difficulties
Dr. Oded Hershko - director of the Nirim school in Haifa
It should be noted that the executive director's circular limits the marine activity to the 5th grades and above. Now an attempt is being made to include the 4th grade students as well, this also requires the consent of the Ministry of Education. The school, already from the first grade, is engaged in marine activities. "Today we come with students from the 5th and 6th grades, so every student in this grade is involved in a marine activity once every two weeks. I see how happy the students come to school on a day of marine activity, and how happy they are when they return to school. The truth is that I understand them , because I also enjoy the activity very much. What's better than getting to the beach, sailing together in a boat in the sun? We pass on so many values to the children in this way. The importance of teamwork, friendships, and also give an opportunity to students who may not stand out in class and here they are the leaders. I would like to see more peak days where you can sail at least as far as Acre. I really believe in this activity, and call on all school administrators not to give up on this great activity."
Much more than a boat ride
The director of the sailing center Shabtai Lavi explained the special importance of sailing. "Many don't know, but this is an activity that gives a lot to the students, and those who can especially benefit from the activity are the special education children. There was a girl here who, over the course of a year, we slowly brought her closer to the seashore, since she would not go into the water under any circumstances. The process she went through here was nothing short of amazing At first she was afraid and stayed away from the water and as the weeks passed she gained more and more confidence. After a year, when she entered the water for the first time and even got on a vessel we were happy and excited. Anyone who thinks it's just about sailing is wrong. It's about building self-confidence, teamwork, trust You didn't get along with your friends and the students in the class, but in the water you discover new sides in them. I recommend every teacher and principal whose school is not yet involved in marine activities, to come to us, and I promise everyone that they will fall in love with marine activities, the sun and the sea, and will return very quickly with the students ".
budget limit
Shmuel Zaggi
Shmulik Zaggi, who is responsible for sports in the Haifa Municipality: "One of the reasons that prevent schools from participating in marine activities is a decision made in the past by the Ministry of Education according to which it is forbidden to collect payments from parents in excess of the PMR circular. This means that before Limor Livnat was the Minister of Education, you could ask the parents for 10-20 NIS for transportation to the sea for the marine activity. Today it is forbidden. There are school principals who would like to come to us, but they do not have a budget for transportation. Marine activity is so important to the students and that Sometimes we fall for a ridiculous amount of money."
Haifa Municipality's response
Ilana Truk - Head of the Hatar Directorate
Ilana Truk, head of Hatar's directorate, stated that within the framework of the diverse measures to promote and improve achievements and the social climate, the administration maintains complementary frameworks that allow students to exhaust their skills in various fields. The activity in the field of water sports is integrated into the education system, making it possible to challenge students to engage in sports as a stepping stone to a healthy longevity, and to allow them to enjoy one of Haifa's most beautiful resources, aka the beach.
Haifa is an amazing city with an amazing sea and hundreds of thousands of residents who are unaware of the treasure they have under their noses. Something in the Haifa culture that is not connected to the sea and I never understood it. The neighborhoods that are close to the sea are not preferred for raising children in the country, access to the sea is limited, there are almost no surfing and sailing clubs and when she was a candidate for mayor who regretted her flag to connect the city to the sea, she was not elected. I have already moved to Atlit, because the sea is important to me. But the homesickness for my hometown, my military services and my higher education are growing.