School Fees: What to Pay For and How to Get a Discount

Core Principles

In the Israeli education system, payments are divided into mandatory (תשלומי חובה) and voluntary (תשלומי רשות). The Ministry of Education annually establishes the maximum amounts that schools are permitted to charge. Mandatory payments are required by law, while voluntary payments can be declined.

Eligibility

• All parents whose children are enrolled in Israel's official education system: from kindergarten (גן ילדים) to the 12th grade.
• Parents whose children attend state-recognized daycare centers (מעונות יום) or family-style daycare (משפחתונים) may be eligible for a separate government subsidy.

Who is NOT eligible for discounts under this guide?

• This guide does not cover subsidies for private, non-state-recognized daycare centers and kindergartens. Subsidies for recognized daycare centers are regulated by the Ministry of Labor, not the Ministry of Education.

Your Rights

• Limited Amounts: A school cannot demand payment exceeding the maximum rates set by the Ministry of Education for the current academic year.
• Full Disclosure: You have the right to receive a detailed list of all payments from the school, itemized into mandatory and voluntary categories.
• Right to Refuse: You are not obligated to pay for voluntary services (e.g., additional field trips, extracurricular activities) if you have not given your consent for them.
• Right to Appeal: If you believe the requested amount is excessive, you may dispute it through the established procedure.
• Right to a Daycare Subsidy: If you meet the criteria (primarily based on income level), you can apply for a daycare subsidy ranging from approximately 400 to 2,500 shekels per month.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Obtain the Invoice. Request a detailed list of all payments for the academic year from the school.
2. Verify the Amounts. Compare the requested amounts with the official price list published annually by the Ministry of Education.
3. Pay Mandatory Fees. These payments are your legal obligation and are collected through the local authorities.
4. Decide on Voluntary Services. Carefully review the list of voluntary services. If you agree to a service (even verbally), you are obligated to pay for it.
5. Dispute Overcharges. If you identify a discrepancy:
   • First, contact the school administration for clarification.
   • If the issue is not resolved, contact the local education authority (רשות החינוך המקומית).
   • As a last resort, file a formal complaint with the Public Inquiries Department of the Ministry of Education.
6. Apply for a Daycare Subsidy. If your child attends a recognized daycare center or family-style daycare, verify your eligibility for a subsidy and submit an application on the Ministry of Labor website.

List of Documents

• Invoice from the school with a full itemization of payments.
• Receipts for all payments made.
• Copies of any written correspondence with the school or municipality regarding payments.

Potential Pitfalls

• Ignoring Mandatory Payments: This is a legal debt. Non-payment can lead to legal proceedings and collection through the Enforcement and Collection Authority.
• Verbal Consent for Voluntary Services: Your verbal "yes" to an additional field trip or extracurricular activity constitutes a legally binding agreement to pay. Do not agree unless you are certain you need the service and are prepared to pay for it.
• Failure to Check Official Rates: Always cross-reference the amounts with the official publication from the Ministry of Education. Schools are not permitted to charge more than the established maximum. The annual amount can range from approximately 1,000 shekels for kindergarten to approximately 3,000 shekels for the 12th grade.
• System Confusion: School payments are regulated by the Ministry of Education. Subsidies for daycare centers and family-style daycare are a separate system, managed by the Ministry of Labor and dependent on family income.

Contacts and Links

• Applications for subsidies for daycare centers and family-style daycare are submitted via the Ministry of Labor website.

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