Israel's Students Plunge in Global PISA Rankings Amidst Educational Crisis

International PISA test results for 2022-2025 reveal a significant decline in academic performance among Israeli 14-year-olds, indicating a deep institutional crisis. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) measures functional literacy and the ability to apply knowledge in real-life situations. The latest data, collected under Education Minister Yoav Kisch, shows a substantial degradation of basic skills.

In reading, Israel dropped seven positions globally, losing 38 points, which experts equate to a loss of two full years of schooling. The country now ranks 38th in reading. Science scores also fell by eight places, with Israel scoring 442 points against the OECD average of 484, placing it among the worst performers alongside Guatemala and Latvia. Mathematics saw a decline of six positions and 25 points, equivalent to one year of lost schooling, with Israel ranking 33rd out of 38 OECD countries.

The report highlights a crisis in student motivation, with Israeli teenagers ranking second among developed nations for believing school is a waste of time. This is exacerbated by a severe teacher shortage, with half of Israeli school principals reporting disruptions due to a lack of educators. Significant social disparities persist, with only 8.8% of high-achieving students compared to the OECD average of 11.9%, and 29% of struggling students against a 19.7% average. The performance gap between affluent and economically vulnerable students is a record 82 points.

While girls generally outperformed boys in reading and science, and showed parity in math, both groups experienced sharp score declines, with boys' results falling more dramatically across all categories. Although the testing occurred during wartime, experts emphasize that the systemic issues cannot be solely attributed to the conflict, necessitating urgent and profound educational reform. The Ministry of Education acknowledged the results, though officials had anticipated poor figures.