NIS 5 million allocated to kids with learning disabilities

An extra NIS 5 million has been allocated to assist students with learning disabilities, the Knesset announced on Wednesday.

The extra money will go towards supplementary tutoring for kids with learning disabilities who take part in the Welfare Ministry's national program for children and youth at risk.

"I have three kids who have all been diagnosed with learning disabilities," said MK Inbar Bezek, chairwoman of the Committee for Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorders.

"During the year of COVID-19, with the lockdowns and the online learning, I saw my children be set back in their education, and I understood that this phenomenon is very common in children with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders for whom online learning is more difficult," she said. "I supported my children with private lessons, but there are many children whose parents don't have the ability to finance private lessons for them.

"For this reason I turned to Welfare Minister Meir Cohen and asked that we supply a suitable solution for children who are in the care of the ministry. I want to thank the minister for his quick response to this important matter."

"I thank MK Inbar Bezek for turning to me, and I am so happy that together we were able to help children with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders," Cohen said. "I continue to be attentive to all the weakened communities, and together, we will work to improve their quality of life."

The Welfare Ministry cares for a variety of children at risk through out-of-home programs and in the community. Most of the children are diagnosed with learning disabilities or attention deficit disorders, but some are not formally diagnosed because of lack of awareness or the parents' financial difficulties.