Goal To return drop-outs, both actual and "hidden", to their schools in Be'er Sheva.

Overview In Be'er Sheva, at least 500 students drop out of the education system every year, mainly from junior-high schools. Until now, seven programs have opened in Be'er Sheva for obvious and hidden drop-outs, but they target only those from the high school system. The Azrieli Institute for Educational Empowerment will tackle the problem of junior-high drop-outs, at the stage where the highest proportion of dropping out is occurring. The goal of the institute is to return these pupils to school by providing them with individualized treatment by a multidisciplinary team. The Ministry of Education will be involved both at the district level and within the institute itself. The physical program of the 1,000 m2 building and its functions has been completed. The center will include twenty computerized classrooms, rooms for counselors, a psychologist, juvenile law representatives, a multimedia resource center, and a cafeteria. The program will start to operate out of temporary premises until the construction of the institute is completed.

Update November 2006 The project is under construction. The foundations and floors are in place and work has begun on the steel skeleton. Expected completion: August 2007

Sacta-Rashi's Involvement • Planning and organization via representative on the institute's education, steering and construction committees

Partners Ministry of Education UIA Canada Municipality of Be'er Sheva, Education Department