Special Education

Ofri Rafael from Moshav Nativ HaAsara studies in a special education class in Ashkelon and is defined as 100% nursing-dependent. According to her parents, although the council knew as early as July that she needed a personal aide, no solution was found by the start of the school year. Her father stated: 'She needs company. She cried when she heard she might not go to school.' The council responded...

The special education budget in Israel has increased by 2.5 billion shekels, reaching 26.5 billion in 2026. The number of students in the system has grown by 8.8%, significantly outpacing the growth rate of the general education system.

A teacher physically harmed a child who refused to board the school bus. She dragged him several meters by his backpack straps, causing his clothing to slide down and resulting in injuries. Following criminal proceedings involving community service, a disciplinary tribunal has now ordered her permanent dismissal from the civil service.

The author calls for an educational reform where special needs funding is attached to the child rather than the institution, turning students into sought-after opportunities for schools.

In a sharp letter to Minister Yoav Kisch, heads of local authorities claim that due to a shortage of paramedical therapists, parents are forced to choose personal educational aides, but the state fails to cover the full cost. Municipalities are demanding full state funding for these aides starting in the upcoming school year.

Hundreds of thousands of students are entitled to special education services, but the system struggles to provide them: a shortage of kindergarten teachers, teachers, and paramedical therapists is pushing parents toward separate frameworks. "We are in a state of emergency, the ones losing out are the children."

About 500 students have yet to undergo eligibility committees or receive placement notices due to bureaucratic delays by the municipality. This denies parents the right to appeal and prepare, and creates uncertainty in the transportation system. The Jerusalem Municipality acknowledges the issue, while the Ministry of Education clarifies that placement is the responsibility of the local authority.

Parents of students at the "Eitan" school in Ashkelon claim a series of failures during renovations: sewage flooding, power outages, and the shutdown of essential equipment for disabled children. Dozens of parents were called to pick up their children: "They are leaving the most disabled children inside a construction site." The municipality: "The incident was handled immediately."