Back to School

A new school year has begun for the children at the Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam Primary School. Once again seeing the bright and excited faces of the kids as they eagerly hopped off the school buses from 8 different towns, would put any onlookers in a nostalgic mood.

It was a heartwarming experience as the sixth graders received the first graders, escorting them to their places with the rest of the school. The first grader introduced themselves, were greeted with applause from the whole school, and received a personal wish/blessing from a sixth grader ("may you make many friends, may all your courses be interesting, may you always have your homework ready on time..."). With the principal’s words of welcome and encouragement, the children headed back to their classes to start their very first day.

The opening ceremony was attended by the enthusiastic (and worried) parents of the first grades who were welcomed by the principal, a representative from the Regional Council and the chairperson of the village association, marking a new chapter for the Primary School as it transitions into the public education system. It has been an exciting and challenging step for the school. The Neve Shalom – Wahat al Salam Primary School, which first opened its doors in September 1984 as the first binational bilingual school in Israel, has now entered its 30th year.