Israel knew the danger: 1,600 schools still unprepared for earthquakes, report warns

A damning report from Israel’s State Comptroller in 2018 identified approximately 1,600 schools across the country that are not earthquake-resistant. Despite this stark warning, only a handful have been reinforced in the five years since the audit was published. The findings underscore a critical gap in Israel’s disaster preparedness infrastructure, leaving thousands of schoolchildren potentially vulnerable to structural collapse in the event of a significant seismic event. The report’s conclusions appear particularly troubling given recent seismic activity in the region, with neighbouring Venezuela experiencing a major earthquake that has refocused international attention on earthquake preparedness.

Among the schools deemed unfit for reinforcement are approximately 400 facilities that experts have classified as beyond structural repair. Despite this designation, these buildings continue to operate as active learning environments, with children attending classes there every day. The decision to keep these schools operational raises serious questions about risk management and pupil safety protocols within Israel’s education system. Officials have offered no clear timeline for either demolishing these buildings or relocating the students and staff who work within them.

The limited progress made since 2018 suggests systemic failures in implementing earthquake safety measures. While Israel’s geological position makes it vulnerable to seismic activity, the country has not prioritised retrofitting school buildings to meet modern safety standards. Education officials and government planners have had nearly six years to address the State Comptroller’s recommendations, yet the pace of remedial work remains glacial. This inaction cannot be attributed to lack of warning—the 2018 report made the dangers abundantly clear to policymakers and the public alike.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.