In a first and unprecedented step, it was agreed this week between the Ministry of Education and the Municipality of Haifa, that parents who are entitled to assistance in transporting their children to the special education frameworks, will be able to receive a financial grant for the benefit of transporting their children independently.
A dramatic increase throughout the country in the number of students integrated into the special education system
In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase throughout the country in the number of students integrated into the special education system. In the city of Haifa alone, 5,400 students with special needs study in schools and special education classes. In addition to them, 1,625 students in the city have a "personal basket" with the help of which these students are integrated into regular classes and kindergartens. Of these students, approximately 3,500 students are entitled to transportation.
Student eligibility for special education services
A student's eligibility for special education services is examined by the Characterization and Eligibility Committee, which is a joint committee consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Education Administration in the Haifa Municipality and a representative of parents. After the decision on the special education framework, the student's eligibility for transportation is examined. The transportation from the student's home to the educational institution is organized by the local authority, but many authorities in the country face significant shortages of escorts and adapted vehicles, and without them it is not possible to transport the students to the educational institution.
The new arrangement
According to the new arrangement - parents, who are entitled to transportation services and wish to receive a financial grant of 878 NIS per month for transporting their child independently, will be required to commit that their child will arrive at the educational framework every day regularly, throughout the school year.
Lack of manpower and vehicles
Over the past year, the Education Administration in the Haifa Municipality recruited hundreds of attendants and vehicles in order to provide a response to all transportation lines, but there is still a lack of manpower and vehicles. The plight of the parents led the Municipality of Haifa and the Ministry of Education to confirm for the first time that parents who wish to do so will be able to drive their children to the educational institution independently and receive a financial grant for it.
Ilana Truk, head of the education administration in the Haifa municipality, says:
This important step will allow parents to continue their daily routine, according to the schedule suitable for the family and educational needs of each child, while accompanying their children's parents to the educational institution. The Municipality of Haifa is committed to continuing to help parents of children with special needs, therefore, along with the approved financial grant, we will continue our efforts to recruit additional personnel and vehicles in order to provide the best response to every child in need.
Contact…
For inquiries and questions on the subject, write an email to: [email protected]
And with all that... poor parents must take a loan and leave the country