OECD Report Highlights Teacher Shortages and Low Pay in Israel

A new OECD report, "Education at a Glance 2026," reveals significant challenges within Israel's education system, including large class sizes, low teacher salaries, and a high rate of young teachers leaving the profession. While the overall teacher attrition rate in Israel is relatively low at 2.5%, a striking 77% of those who do resign have fewer than five years of experience, compared to the OECD average of 38%. This phenomenon is closely linked to the salary structure, which pays teachers less than similarly educated professionals in other fields, with the gap being particularly pronounced for new teachers. The report indicates that Israel's salary agreements, which heavily favor seniority over performance, also limit principals' ability to attract and retain quality educators by offering competitive compensation or personalized career paths.

The report also challenges the notion of a general teacher shortage, stating that the issue is concentrated in specific subjects, regions, and schools. While the student-to-teacher ratio is not unusually high internationally, and the number of elementary school teachers has increased, the rigid salary structure hinders the system's ability to deploy teachers where they are most needed. Furthermore, Israeli classrooms are significantly larger than the OECD average, with approximately 27 students in elementary schools and 30 in middle schools. Addressing this requires substantial investment in infrastructure and personnel.

The report emphasizes the need for excellent teachers and empowered principals who can adapt to new learning technologies and manage large, crowded classrooms effectively. With the "Ofek Hadash" (New Horizon) salary agreement set to expire on December 31st, there is an opportunity to reform the salary structure, increase flexibility, and grant more authority to principals. However, such changes are expected to face strong opposition and potential strikes. The report serves as a reminder that these long-standing problems require urgent attention.