Critical Shortage

Israel’s educational system is facing an urgent need for more educational psychologists, compounded by the recent conflict and years of neglect. Officials from the Treasury have identified a staggering 30% gap in the required number of professionals in this field.

Deep-Rooted Issue

The scarcity of educational psychologists in Israel’s schools is not a new phenomenon. It is the result of a long-standing issue that spans two decades, characterized by chronic underfunding and insufficient staffing.

Call for Comprehensive Reform

With the educational psychology service in disarray, especially after the war, experts argue that a superficial fix is inadequate. Officials stress the need for a significant overhaul to address these deep-seated challenges.

The Migration to Private Sector

An exodus of educational psychologists to better-paying private sector jobs has further exacerbated the crisis. Lawmakers agree that substantial salary improvements are necessary to attract and retain talent within public educational institutions.

No Room for Temporary Solutions

Critics, including Yesh Atid MK Meir Cohen, caution against short-term financial grants from the Ministry of Finance, suggesting these are mere attempts to plaster over the cracks rather than solve the underlying issues.

Psychological Services in High Demand

Communities like Sderot have seen an alarmingly low rate of psychological support, with the demand for such services rising post-war, especially among vulnerable populations.

Towards a New Wage Agreement

The Treasury’s wages department representative unveils progress towards a new wage agreement for educational psychologists, in the wake of discussions that began five months before the outbreak of war.

Innovative Local Solutions

Some local leaders, such as Dimona Mayor Benny Bitton, are seeking creative ways to encourage psychology students to serve in their municipalities post-graduation in exchange for educational funding.

The Young and the Anxious

Hava Friedman, director of the Education Ministry’s educational psychology division, highlights the increased anxiety levels among youth, including children of IDF reservists, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive salary package to include interns.The strain on these services is further highlighted by the fact that half of the educational psychologists currently are merely interns.

Volunteers Stepping Up

In response to the rising need, retired psychologists are offering their services to children affected by evacuations from conflict zones, providing some relief to the overstretched educational psychology services.

A Growing Deficit Even Before the Conflict

Prior to the war, the educational system was already grappling with a 30% shortfall in educational psychology professionals, according to the Education Ministry. This deficiency has likely been exacerbated by the recent conflict.

Takeaway

The demand for educational psychologists in Israel’s school system is at an all-time high, intensified by the recent wartime crisis. The solution requires not only more staffing but also systemic changes to ensure a robust and sustainable educational psychology service for the future.

This story was first published on jpost.com.