Israel’s education system is failing the students who will shape its future - editorial
Just as defense is paramount to securing a thriving future for Israel, education is vital to the well-being and continued success of the Jewish state.
Recent results from the 2025 PISA exam have exposed the failure of Israel's education system in producing students capable of shaping the nation's future. The assessment, which tests 15-year-olds' performance in mathematics, reading, and science, revealed that Israel's average scores were the lowest among the 75 countries and economies tested.
In mathematics, Israel's score dropped to 433 points, a decline of 25 points from the previous year, the second-largest decrease globally. Science scores fell to 442 points, a 23-point decrease from 2022, while reading scores plummeted by 38 points to 436 points, the second-largest decline after Latvia.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch attempted to present a positive spin on the results, pointing to the system's resilience in the face of war and disruptions to learning schedules. However, the underlying issue is clear: Israel's education system desperately needs reform. A significant portion of the population, including Arabic-speaking students and haredim (ultra-Orthodox), are not receiving a quality education that equips them for a first-world economy.
Prof. Dan Ben-David, president of the Shoresh Institution for Socioeconomic Research, argues that about half of Israel's children are receiving an education on par with third-world countries. Ben-David proposes a radical overhaul of Israel's education system, suggesting the dismantling of the four separate education streams (state, state religious, haredi, and Arab) and the implementation of a unified system for all.
This overhaul should include a comprehensive upgrade of the core curriculum, funding allocation only to compliant schools, and the cessation of funding for non-compliant institutions.
As the country heads towards the upcoming election, it is crucial that all parties address the pressing issue of education, alongside security and economic concerns. The future of Israel depends not only on its defense and economic stability but also on the quality of education it provides its citizens.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
