Petah Tikva's 'Shahar' School Wins National Education Award
The 'Shahar' elementary school in Petah Tikva, part of the 'Olive Educational Center' network, has been awarded the prestigious National Education Prize for the academic year 2025-2026. The school, managed by Ms. Chava Cohen, was selected after a rigorous and lengthy evaluation process. It was initially recommended by the Ministry of Education's supervision, then passed a district committee review, earning a district award before advancing to the national stage.
A multidisciplinary committee from the Ministry of Education ultimately chose 'Shahar' from outstanding institutions across the country for the top honor. Established in 2012, 'Shahar' is an ultra-Orthodox elementary school catering to students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at various functioning levels. The school prides itself on uncompromising professionalism, integrative work, and pedagogical depth tailored to each student's individual abilities and needs.
The educational and therapeutic team operates as a synchronized professional unit. Teachers, peer teachers, and teaching assistants implement classroom processes developed collaboratively by pedagogical coordinators, para-medical coordinators, speech therapists, occupational therapists, emotional therapists, behavioral analysts, a counselor, a psychologist, and a social worker. The school has developed unique pedagogical protocols for areas including language and math education, life skills development, independent learning, and augmentative and alternative communication, with a systematic approach to assessing student progress from dependence to independence.
School principal Ms. Chava Cohen expressed immense pride and satisfaction, stating, 'Every single member of the staff is part of this achievement. Without a professional team on the ground, significant results cannot be achieved.' Rabbi Shaul Rotenberg, CEO of the 'Olive Educational Center' network, which operates dozens of special education institutions nationwide employing approximately 1,700 staff members, highlighted that the award reflects the school's professional and personalized management of its curriculum. He added, 'All our staff members operate with uncompromising professionalism, integrative work, and pedagogical depth at all functioning levels.' The network emphasizes moderate and responsible growth despite increasing demand, with a vision for continued personal and professional investment in each student.
