Longstanding debate about equivalent education in private yeshivas continues to cause controversy in Rockland

A longstanding debate about equivalent education in private yeshivas is once again raising controversy in Rockland County.

News 12 Staff

Jun 17, 2021, 9:47 PM

Updated 1,270 days ago

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A longstanding debate about equivalent education in private yeshivas is once again raising controversy in Rockland County.
It comes at a time as delays continue when it comes to enforcing state law.
"Here we have tens of thousands of kids being denied an education," says Orthodox education activist Naftuli Moster. "They are not teaching English, math, science, social studies – as required by law. This would literally constitute the worst school in the country."
Moster first reported this to the state Department of Education six years ago.
The complaints from Naftuli, a former yeshiva student, prompted a state investigation that found major problems with equivalent education in private yeshivas.
Despite efforts by the state, nothing has been done to change how children are being taught.
It is mostly because of pushback by schools and religious leaders.
"I'm here to say that he's wrong. I went to the same school as he went to, and I got a very good education," says Rockland Legislator Aron Wieder.
Wieder says nothing is wrong with the education kids are getting in yeshivas.
The state Department of Education says it's currently considering feedback to revise proposed regulations for non-public schools.