The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Education are promoting an educational initiative for elementary schools in honor of National Cleanup Day, which will be held this year on April 2.
The activity will be budgeted by up to NIS 13 million, and is intended to fund trips and educational activities. The intention of the ministries is to start a tradition of holding the National Cleanup Day for years to come. This year, around 1,200 schools are expected to participate in the initiative.
The existence of the National Cleanup Day was determined by the Maintenance of Cleanliness Law in order to increase public awareness of the cleanliness of open and public areas and the protection of the environment. On the day of cleaning, educational and public relations activities are held in educational institutions, local authorities and the IDF regarding cleanliness and environmental protection.
In the primary schools, the whole month will be devoted to educational activities, such as acquiring knowledge on the subject, learning about the value of giving and implementing initiatives of social involvement.
As part of the initiative, educational tours will be conducted for fourth and sixth graders, in which various activities related to cleaning and nurturing the area will be integrated. In addition, activities will take place in the classrooms, with an emphasis on social involvement and environmental responsibility. Each school will receive support of up to NIS 8,000.
Environmental Protection Minister MK Ze’ev Elkin said: "We are proud to make history in Israel and implement the national cleanup day in the education system for the first time. On this day, the children of Israel will walk around parks, forests and beaches and learn about social involvement and environmental responsibility.”
Education Minister Naftali Bennett also commented, saying that "The deep connection to the environment, the community and the country is one of the important values we impart to our children. These values are rooted in action. On National Cleanup Day we will see a wonderful sight - thousands of students giving to the environment, take responsibility and clean the country for their benefit and for the benefit of the entire Israeli society. Giving and social involvement are the foundation of a strong society. I am proud of the wonderful students of Israel and congratulate the entire project."