Israel Teachers Union chief Yaffa Ben David is in negotiations with the Finance Ministry over proposals to shorten the school week from six to five days, amid a widespread teacher shortage. Ben David supports the change but insists teachers should work four days in schools and have one day for errands and professional development. She also demands a reduction in instructional hours for elementary schools and rejects any plan to shorten the summer vacation.

A pilot program to eliminate Friday classes is reportedly set to launch in several municipalities, though the Education Ministry denies this. The Finance Ministry's overhaul aims to reduce costs and raise teachers' salaries, which Ben David says will 'definitely happen.' She disputes official figures on teacher shortages, claiming the gap is much larger than reported, and highlights issues of low pay and overcrowded classrooms in Israel's education system.