Greetings from the Head of the Municipal Education System

Dear resident,

The national strength of the State of Israel relies on its human capital and the relative advantage of the economy, security and society.

Education is one of the infrastructures which are essential to ensure this advantage and required to meet the challenges of today's education in the 21st century, which is characterized by dynamism, accelerated technological advancement, new professions and the globalization process, with an ever changing economic and social environment.

These global trends and challenges require that the educational system in Israel redefine its goals and adjust them to new and up-to-date learning curriculum, opening the future leadership to the reality of Israeli society and the value of knowledge in the 21st century.

One of the main goals of the education system of the city of Haifa is reducing the gaps in opportunities by providing a "Toolbox" of equality to the students of the City.

We, within the education and cultural system of Haifa, have defined the vision and path for actualization – by matching skills required for life in the 21^st century.

The learning goals:

• To develop thinking and verbal skills, with a rational attitude, combined with a critical orientation that is moral and humanistic.
• A democratic citizenship, with social justice and equal opportunities.
• Inquisitiveness and creativity, emotional intelligence and social skills.
• Academic excellence.
• ,Responsibility (socially and environmentally)
• Scientific and mathematical literacy.

• Cultural identity and values of the majority and the minority

         position with respect towards pluralism and tolerance in a multi- cultural society.

• Technological education: training geared to technical channels due to the growing need of the future labor market.

• A continuous, qualitative and meaningful dialogue between teacher and student, between adolescents and adults.

• The ongoing professional development of principals and teachers.

We are preparing for the adjustment of learning environments and study programs to the skills necessary for life in the 21^st century.

• Computing infrastructure and communications in all schools, classrooms and for each student and teacher.

• Digital literacy skills: control of information and communication technologies..

• Literacy comprehension skills: control of written and oral comprehension of mother tongue and English.

• Scientific and mathematical literacy: understanding and critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and innovation.

• Anywhere / Anytime learning: school continuum – A virtual communication between teacher and student, or teacher and parent.

• Accessibility to varied information sources:  textual, visual and online.

• Tools for learning management and personally adjusted: through  systems for management of education, study and evaluation.