Adalah Secures Commitment from Education Ministry to Academic Tracks for All Arab Students in Haifa after 13 Students Denied Access to Science Track
On 28 September 2025, the Haifa District Court held a hearing on a petition filed by Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights on behalf of 13 Arab students from Haifa and its surrounding areas, the Parents' Committee for Arab Schools and the Follow-Up Committee for Arab Education against the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Haifa Municipality. The petition followed the denial of the thirteen students from joining the science track for the Israeli matriculation (Bagrout) certificate at the end of high school, on the grounds that there were not enough places available to enroll them at Al-Karma School, the only public Arab school in the city that offers a full science track, which includes five units in mathematics and advanced science subjects (physics, chemistry, or biology).
To read the hearing protocol (in Hebrew)
During the hearing, after Adalah presented its arguments, representatives of the Haifa Municipality and the MoE were compelled to make clear and explicit commitments to the court regarding the upcoming academic year (2026/2027). The municipality and the ministry pledged to ensure that every Arab student in Haifa who wishes to enroll in a recognized science track and is capable of meeting its requirements will have access to appropriate education.
This commitment was accompanied by a further promise to take essential steps to ensure its implementation. The authorities announced their intention to open a science class at the Shizaf School if a sufficient number of students wished to join the proposed track. If the required number was not met, the authorities pledged to provide alternative solutions for every student, even a single student. These solutions include offering the virtual Bagrut learning program launched by the MoE in the past two years, by transferring the student to another school in the city, or by providing a suitable teacher within the school's existing facilities, along with the necessary financial and logistical support. The authorities also clearly confirmed, in response to questions from Adalah’s legal team, that the virtual learning would be conducted in Arabic to ensure the students' full and effective participation.
In light of these commitments, the petitioners accepted the court’s proposal to withdraw the petition, while preserving the right to refile a petition should the MoE or the municipality violate these commitments or fail to implement in the coming year.
Background of the petition
Prior to the current academic year (2025/2026), even if the Arab students met the admission requirements for the science track at Al-Karma High School – the only public Arab high school in Haifa that offers this program – they were excluded due to a lottery for the limited places held by the municipality. The students that did not get a place were assigned to the Shezaf School, another Arab public high school, which does not provide a recognized Bagrout science track.
Since July 2025, parents appealed to the MoE and the municipality for a solution before the start of the current school year. In response, the municipality offered vague and misleading information about the “scientific – AI specialization” track at the Shezaf School. A thorough review by the heads of parents’ committees and an investigation by Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed that this program does not meet the criteria of a genuine Bagrout science track and does not enable students to earn a full Bagrout matriculation certificate in physics, chemistry, biology, or advanced mathematics.
As a result, the 13 students, who all have clear scientific aptitude, did not have an appropriate educational framework. These students are likely the only ones in the country to be denied the right to choose a science-focused track in high school, despite meeting all the criteria. This constitutes a grave violation of their right to education and to equality. Moreover, the policy discriminates against Arab students as compared to Jewish Israeli students in Haifa, who have multiple options for science-focused studies at several public high schools.
Shockingly, parents were even advised to send their children to private schools, reflecting the authorities’ abdication of their legal responsibilities toward them. As a result, on 9 September 2025 Adalah filed this petition.
Following the hearing, Attorney Lubna Touma from Adalah, who represented the students, their families and the organizations stated: "The commitments made today before the court constitute an important achievement and a significant precedent in guaranteeing the right to equal education for Arab students in Haifa. The authorities were forced to acknowledge that every student has the right to a full academic track if they so desire, and there is no room for deprivation or 'partial solutions.' The responsibility now lies in ensuring the practical implementation of these commitments and guaranteeing that every student receives the appropriate framework for their abilities and aspirations. Adalah will follow the case closely to ensure that these promises are fulfilled."
