Assistant to the kindergarten teacher: The new program that will train hundreds of education supporters
The Local Government Center is launching a new program called 'Ofek BeTnuah' that will allow education supporters (assistants) in kindergartens to study for a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and receive a teaching certificate, along with an annual scholarship of 6,000 shekels. The goal: creating a professional advancement track for veteran workers and increasing the pool of kindergarten teachers in the education system.
The Local Government Center is promoting a new program called 'Ofek BeTnuah', designed to train education supporters (assistants) in kindergartens for kindergarten teacher roles. As part of the program, participants will be able to study for a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and receive a teaching certificate, along with an annual scholarship of 6,000 shekels. Chairman of the Local Government Center, Haim Bibas, said that "every parent knows the assistant in the kindergarten... she works the same job for years, gives her heart and soul - without a promotional horizon. We decided to change that." According to program data, about 40 education supporters have been trained so far, and in the 2026-2027 school year, about 600 education supporters from about 50 local authorities are expected to join. The move aims to address the shortage of kindergarten teachers by leveraging the experience of workers already in the system.