Israeli Education Ministry Releases Matriculation Exam Data, Revealing Wide Local Gaps
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Israel's Ministry of Education reported that 77.9% of students are now eligible for matriculation certificates, an increase from the previous year. The data revealed significant disparities in exam results between local authorities, with some Haredi municipalities showing very low eligibility rates. However, the ministry also noted a reduction in socio-economic gaps and an increase in overall matriculation and honors rates. Budgeting per student also showed considerable regional differences.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 77.9% of Israeli students are now eligible for matriculation certificates, an increase from last year.
- Significant disparities exist in matriculation rates between different local authorities across Israel.
- Haredi municipalities like Modi'in Illit and Bnei Brak reported very low matriculation eligibility rates.
- Socio-economic gaps in matriculation eligibility have narrowed significantly over the past decade.
- Per-student budgeting varies widely, with the North receiving more funding than Jerusalem for high schoolers.
- Class sizes are largest in the Central and Tel Aviv districts and smallest in the North.
Israel's Ministry of Education released its "Educational Picture" data for the 2024-2025 school year, showing an overall increase in students eligible for a matriculation certificate. This year, 77.9% of students qualified, up from 76.6% last year. The rate of students achieving honors matriculation also rose to 14.4% from 13.1%, and participation in technological matriculation exams increased to 11.6% from 10.8%.
The data highlights significant disparities in matriculation rates, honors achievements, and advanced English studies among different local authorities. The report indicated that half a percent of exam papers were disqualified due to cheating, and the dropout rate stood at 0.8%, a slight decrease from 0.9% in the previous year.
Despite local gaps, the ministry's data suggests a narrowing of socio-economic disparities. The gap, which was 24.6% in 2015, has reduced to 12% by 2025. In the lowest socio-economic quintile, the matriculation eligibility rate climbed from 54.6% a decade ago to 73.7%, while in the highest quintile, it rose from 79.3% to 85.7%.
Among large municipalities, Givat Shmuel led with 98.1% eligibility for a matriculation certificate, followed by Givatayim (97.9%) and Ramat HaSharon (96.7%). Givat Shmuel also topped the technological matriculation category with 39.2%. Ramat HaSharon and Givat Shmuel were also prominent in honors matriculation rates.
Conversely, at the bottom of the ranking were predominantly Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) municipalities, including Modi'in Illit with only 4.5% eligibility, Bnei Brak with 14.5%, and Beitar Illit with 14.9%. Other municipalities with lower rates included Ofakim, Tzfat, and Jerusalem.
The data also revealed considerable differences in per-student budgeting across authorities. Elementary students in the Southern District received approximately NIS 24,242, compared to NIS 19,004 in Jerusalem. High school students in the North were budgeted at NIS 43,793 per student, significantly higher than the NIS 30,630 allocated in Jerusalem.
Class sizes also varied, with the Central and Tel Aviv districts having the most crowded classrooms, averaging 32-33 students in middle school. The Northern District had the smallest classes.
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