Cameras in kindergartens don't deter, nor does punishment: "There is a deep institutional problem"

About 30 caregivers were convicted of assaulting children between 2022 and 2024, but cameras and stricter punishment have not prevented the acts. Experts point to a deep institutional problem: low wages, heavy workload, lack of supervision, and cuts in training hours. One supervisor is responsible for an average of 80 kindergartens, and in some daycare centers no supervisory visit was conducted for a year.

About 30 caregivers were convicted of assaulting children between 2022 and 2024, yet the number of cases continues to rise despite the installation of cameras and harsher penalties. Roni Shapira, director of the women's division at the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority, says there is a 'deep institutional problem' including low wages, poor employment conditions, and heavy workload. One supervisor is responsible for an average of 80 kindergartens, and in 14% of daycare centers no supervisory visit was conducted in a year. Training hours were cut from 10 to four or five per month. Zohar Mazor, chair of the Instructors Union, explains that instructors are the first support factor but the cut makes their work difficult. Yael Or, senior advisor for prisoner rehabilitation, describes a pressure cycle including financial and health difficulties and a shortage of manpower leading to violence.