Chapter IV
No Child Left Behind
Dropouts are a festering wound at the heart of the Charedi community. Students are pushed out of the system, the parents’ pain is immeasurable, and unfortunately, a systemic answer does not exist
The spreading phenomenon of dropouts is an issue at the forefront of the Charedi community. On average, one in five Charedi students drops out of the education system, and many of them grow weaker and turn away from the path of Torah.
The time has come to abandon patchwork fixes in favor of deep, systemic change. Hatzibur HaCharedi is committed to an approach that combines rooted Charedi education with advanced professional tools, guided by the principle that no Jewish child should be given up on.
What We Will Change
1. Comprehensive Data and Monitoring System: Establishing a data dashboard to identify the needs of at-risk youth and enable accurate monitoring of the assistance being provided to each individual.
2. Responsible Budget Management: Supervising GEFEN and government budgets in Charedi and mixed municipalities to ensure that funding is distributed fairly and used effectively to address the relevant issues.
3. Transparent Reporting: Requiring all educational institutions, including junior yeshivos, to report both open and hidden dropouts, with sanctions against institutions that conceal or fail to report such cases.
4. A Fair Admissions Mechanism: Acting decisively against the discriminatory screening of students by establishing new institutions and directly funding institutions that operate without “filters.”
5. Strengthening Municipal Youth Departments: Providing additional funding for the heads of Charedi youth departments in mixed municipalities where Charedi children make up more than 30 percent of the population.
6. A system of Social Mentors: Integrating dedicated mentors who will identify children and teens who are struggling and help place and reintegrate them in suitable frameworks.
7. Expanding Youth-Advancement Programs: Establishing Charedi youth-advancement programs throughout the country, with funding for individualized treatment.
8. Specialized Educational Classes: Increasing funding for challenge and retention classrooms throughout educational systems and across all age groups.
9. Vocational Training Adapted to the Community: Funding courses and vocational training for at-risk youth from age fourteen, providing them with tools for future employment and independence.
10. Training for Educational Teams: Funding broad training programs for yeshiva staff, teachers, and educators to identify signs of risk and respond with sensitivity and professionalism.
11. Access to Matriculation and External Examinations: Making recognized matriculation studies and external examinations available without requiring enrollment in a specific institution.
12. Prevention and Welfare Programs: Developing programs to prevent addiction, strengthening welfare services, and supporting parents, particularly in Charedi and mixed municipalities — with government funding made conditional upon proper implementation.
13. Support for community Initiatives: Expanding assistance for outreach patrols and community projects that engage at-risk youth in positive and meaningful activity.
14. Support for Those Without a Family Network: Funding informal educational and support systems that provide a complete framework for young people who lack stable family support.