Private Tutoring Becomes Essential for Israeli Students Amidst Learning Gaps
Private tutoring, once a targeted solution for students struggling with specific subjects before exams, has become a routine part of the educational experience for many Israeli families. Parents are increasingly turning to private lessons to help their children bridge learning gaps that have widened in recent years, often requiring significant financial investment.
Students like Ari-Zion, entering seventh grade, express frustration with the pace of classroom instruction, particularly in subjects like English. He notes that while he has a private tutor for English, he previously had one for math, highlighting a reliance on supplementary education. Another student, Emmanuel, also heading into seventh grade, describes the difficulty of keeping up in crowded classrooms where the teacher moves quickly through material, leaving some students behind.
The demand for private tutoring has surged dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic, with requests spanning subjects from math and English to Hebrew language and even early reading and writing skills. Roy Na'im, founder of the "Limud Na'im" platform, outlines the pricing structure, stating that beginner tutors in the Tel Aviv area charge around 120-150 shekels per hour, while experienced tutors can command 230-240 shekels. Na'im acknowledges the cost but compares it to extracurricular activities, emphasizing the need to invest in education for results.
For many families, this translates into a substantial monthly expense of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of shekels. Ornit Naveh, a single mother of two, details her struggle to afford supplementary lessons for her daughters, especially before major exams. She estimates spending at least 500 shekels monthly, noting that despite her efforts, her younger daughter is not at the expected academic level for her age, a gap she attributes to the "lost years" of the pandemic and conflicts, and observes a clear disparity between her daughters' academic standing.
This growing dependence on private tutoring is exacerbated by a severe shortage of teachers in the public school system. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there is a deficit of over 30,000 teachers, though the Ministry of Education disputes this figure, predicting a shortfall of only hundreds. Educators like Mazi Giorno point to the overwhelming workload faced by existing teachers due to this shortage. While recent salary agreements have increased teacher pay, with starting salaries around 9,000 shekels and experienced teachers earning up to 20,000 shekels, professionals argue that salary alone is not the solution.
Ayalet Katzir, a retired supervisor, argues that even significantly higher salaries would not solve the problem if class sizes and teaching structures remain unchanged. She stresses the need to address classroom density from kindergarten onwards to ensure each child can receive adequate attention and develop essential life skills. The article concludes by questioning whether public education in Israel will continue to be an equalizer or transform into a system where financial means dictate academic advancement, creating a divide between those who can afford supplementary learning and those who cannot.
