Israel’s Education Ministry has no data on student allergies and reactions at schools — Jerusalem Post
Israel’s Ministry of Education acknowledged during a hearing at the High Court of Justice that it has no data on the number of children with allergies in the education system, cases of allergic reactions at schools, or the number of evacuations due to such incidents. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post.
Lawsuit over the pilot program
The hearing took place as part of a lawsuit filed by attorney Gilad Bar Tal, the legal adviser to the Yahal Association. The organization describes the ministry’s program as an experiment on children with allergies.
The program provides for replacing medical assistants in first and second grades with support from school nurses. The pilot project, which was previously reported by Walla, was launched at the beginning of the current school year in ten schools.
Parents and the Yahal Association opposed this approach. According to association representatives, the ministry considers the new model appropriate and safe despite the lack of necessary data.
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Questions about response procedures
During the hearing, Bar Tal stated that key questions about staff actions during an allergic reaction remain unanswered. In particular, these concern the response of school employees, the method of notifying the nurse, and the time until emergency care is provided.
Yahal representatives also said that the authorities presented the pilot as a measure that would be accompanied by a professional study, but that study has not yet begun. According to the plaintiffs, a tender is currently underway to select an academic institution that is to conduct the study later. Parents believe the program was launched before a mechanism was created to assess its effectiveness and possible consequences.
The association stressed that it does not oppose studying alternatives to medical assistants, but opposes the unilateral implementation of the model without sufficient data, clear criteria for success or failure, or answers regarding children’s safety. Yahal also criticized the position of the Association of Allergists, saying it insufficiently considers the emotional and psychological impact of life-threatening allergies on young children.
