The HILA Program (Hebrew acronym for “Education for Youth at Risk”) operates under the Department of Education and Youth-at-Risk within the Pedagogical Administration of the Ministry of Education. Since 2018, the program has been managed nationwide by the Community Centers Association (Hevrat HaMatnasim).
The program is implemented in municipal Youth Advancement Units and youth residential care institutions across the country. It currently operates in 205 Youth Advancement Units in 151 local authorities, as well as in 45 residential institutions, prisons, and detention centers.
Approximately 5,500 students from diverse backgrounds participate in the program, including veteran Israeli youth, immigrant youth (particularly from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia), as well as Arab, Druze, Bedouin, and ultra-Orthodox communities.
HILA was established to provide a tailored educational response for youth who have dropped out of formal education frameworks. Following extensive experience in developing therapeutic and educational services for disconnected youth, a joint committee of the Ministries of Education and Finance formally launched the program in 1992.
Today, HILA is a recognized and unique educational framework, designed to support students in acquiring an education as part of a comprehensive response by the Ministry of Education, local authorities, and the Community Centers Association. The program is rooted in the principle of providing skills and bridging learning gaps to foster future social and professional integration.
The HILA teaching community is a professional network specializing in education for youth at risk and school dropouts. Approximately 1,300 qualified teachers operate within the program in accordance with Ministry of Education standards.
Program Rationale
The program’s unique pedagogical-organizational model allows for the creation of personalized and group mentoring frameworks based on in-depth knowledge of each participant. It offers flexible, individualized learning pathways adapted to the student’s needs and potential, including addressing personal barriers to learning.
The program offers an integrated “educational-therapeutic package” for youth who are outside the formal education system, which includes:
- Personal support by a dedicated Youth Advancement Officer
- Educational programs for completing formal education
- Group activities for social and educational development
- Vocational skill-building to support personal and professional growth
These services are provided gradually, tailored to each student’s pace and needs. In specific cases, staff and curriculum are adapted linguistically and culturally to accommodate new immigrants, Arab, Druze, Bedouin, and ultra-Orthodox populations.
Core Program Components
- Academic Studies – For individual and group learners, covering education from 8 years of schooling up to full matriculation. Professional training and certification tracks are also available.
- Educational, Social, and Values-Based Activities – Implemented individually, in groups, and within communities.
- Personal Support and Guidance – Provided by Youth Advancement professionals.
- Life Skills Development – In areas such as employment readiness, social integration, volunteering, and military preparation.
Key Principles
- The Personal Suit – A supportive educational and therapeutic framework addressing social, emotional, family, and community needs.
- Flexibility in Time – Students can enroll and be integrated throughout the year, including during school holidays.
- Flexibility in Location – Learning is provided at municipal education centers across Israel and adjusted to dynamic student needs.
- Pedagogical Flexibility – Learning tracks and curricula are personalized and evolve throughout the school year.
Learning Tracks
- Certificate for 8 years of schooling
- Certificate for 9 years of schooling
- Certificate for 10 years of schooling
- Certificate for 12 years of schooling
- Matriculation track (Bagrut)
- Technological matriculation track
