Israel's PISA Test Results Spark Widespread Criticism of Education Ministry

Recent PISA test results for Israel have drawn sharp criticism directed at the Ministry of Education and its head, Yoav Kisch. Organizations focused on education and opposition politicians have voiced concerns over the country's low scores.

The National Students' Council highlighted student perspectives, noting that 37% of Israeli students feel school is a waste of time and only 60% believe their teacher is interested in their learning. The council argued that the solution should not be more material, tests, or a focus on grades, but rather a system that fosters a desire to learn, emphasizing motivation, curiosity, and a sense of purpose.

The Parents' Leadership pointed to the emotional toll on students over the past six years, citing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, security operations, and the October 7th attacks. They described the results as a "true alarm" for the education system, particularly the statistic that 29% of students do not reach basic proficiency in reading, math, and science.

The Forum of Colleges of Education criticized the quality of teachers, despite their role in teacher training. They called for a national plan to improve teacher quality, including recruitment, incentives, better working conditions, and public perception of the profession.

MK Naama Lazimi noted a particularly sharp decline in the state-secular Hebrew education stream, with drops of 52 points in reading, 29 in math, and 28 in science. She attributed this to budget discrimination and skewed priorities, stating that students in this stream receive significantly less funding annually compared to other sectors.

Former Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Merav Cohen, a candidate for Education Minister, also criticized the results. Cohen called for a Knesset Education Committee meeting, accusing Minister Kisch of prioritizing politics and specific religious schools over the general education system. Bennett echoed these sentiments, stating the outgoing government had "abandoned" Israeli children and promising to implement changes if elected.