Israel's High Court has upheld the right of Charedi schools to ignore the country's national curriculum.
A large number of Charedi schools reduce secular education to the teaching of basic mathematics and a few other subjects, freeing up the bulk of the time for religious subjects.
In 2010, former education minister Amnon Rubinstein, along with other leading educationalists and disgruntled graduates of Charedi schools, filed a petition against this practice. They said that Charedi schools should be compelled by the courts to adhere the curriculum.
But in a long-awaited ruling, a court of nine judges has rejected the petition, staying that it took a "paternalistic" attitude to Charedim without providing a convincing argument why this was appropriate. Seven judges took this approach, while two voted for the petition to be upheld.
Dr Rubinstein said that the court has ensured that many young Charedim will have employment options and social integration closed off to them when they grow up.
Their "their freedom of choice is hampered by the absence of the core curriculum", he commented, adding: "I cannot think of any other example where a Charedi community's state-funded institution is given immunity from national norms."
The schools in question get government funding - but can receive 40 per cent less than schools that teach the curriculum.
Dr Rubinstein argued that some of the subjects that are not taught to nationally-set levels - or at all - in the curriculum-defying schools are "necessary" for people to get on in life. "English in Israel is not only a foreign language, it is absolutely necessary," he said.