Jerusalem: Israeli children, aged above three, will now be able to get free education after the government approved an amendment in an existing law.
Following a debate in the Knesset parliament, the new bill garnered the support of 21 cabinet ministers while eight voted against it, Xinhua reported.
"This is a historic decision that changes the order of priorities. (The year) 2012 is the year of education and security," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a cabinet meeting earlier, according to an official statement.
Netanyahu last week declared his decision to implement an amendment to the law, exempting Israeli parents from a monthly kindergarten fee of $207 in accordance with the recommendations of a state-appointed committee on social reforms.
Implementing the new free education law will cost an estimated $5.7 billion over the next five years.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, January 09, 2012, 21:41