Dropout epidemic in the education system:
For the first time, the Ministry of Education admits that during the Corona period, the dropout rate from the education system increased significantly, and it is estimated that there are currently about half a million children in dropout processes, ie disconnected from actual learning.
During a discussion in the Education Committee about a month ago, the Ministry of Education reported 90,000 children in overt and covert dropout processes, but professionals claimed that this was only the tip of the iceberg.
In response to Israel's Weekly's question about how overt and covert dropout is measured, the Ministry of Education explained that every January, a comparison is made between the status of students of the previous year and the following year.
According to this test, in 2019 there were 12,249 visible dropouts while in 2020 there were only 8,695 i.e. a decrease in visible dropout.
But the Ministry of Education admits that "the figure does not reflect the dropout phenomenon, as during the corona schools did not drop out students due to the transition to distance learning, isolated and verified. During the corona period, latent dropout increased significantly and may affect visible dropout in the coming years.
"One of the goals set by Education Minister Dr. Yifat Shasha Bitton is to address the hidden dropout rate.
In light of this, the ministry is working on defining and developing an electronic system that will reflect the number of hidden dropouts.
The general assessment relates to about 20% - of 30% of all students. "
Education Minister Yifat Shasha Bitton, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The total number of students in the education system is 2,400,000, a simple calculation shows that according to the Ministry of Education, the number of children in covert dropout is between 480,000 and 720,000, in all opinions alarming figures.
In the face of the huge wave, there are only 732 regular visiting officers (KBSs) nationwide, who in 1951 treated 83,125 students in the process of dropping out.
On average, each KBS handles 110 cases, an inconceivable burden, but only a drop in the ocean in relation to estimates of about half a million children who are actually estranged and cut off from regular learning.
In an article for Israel this week, which will be published on Friday, the Knesset members talk about the unbearable workload and the difficulty of persevering in a profession that is not recognized and rewarded. "The workload is inhumane.
I handled 150 cases, "says number one from a local network in the north of the country, who left the Kabbalah a year ago after 12 years in the job.
"I'm trying to recover from the shocking emotional experiences I went through as a KBS.
More than once we get threats on our lives.
"Kabbalahs have no emotional support or assistance. I went and eroded."
A. added: "I used to be a teacher and then I earned NIS 5,000 more than I earned as a KBS student.
I found myself preoccupied with more and more demands from the local authority that were not part of the job, and with the instructions and procedures of the Ministry of Education.
I had to please the bureaucracy at the expense of childcare.
"Since I left, they have not been able to fill the position, everyone who arrives escapes after a month or two."
In response to our question, the Ministry of Education stated that as of 2017, 293 cops have left. This means that close to 40 percent of all cops have left their positions in the last five years.
In the place of the dropouts, only 273 new cabbages were absorbed.
The full article on Friday in Israel this week
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