Jisr al-Zarqa Sees Bagrut Exam Success Rate Soar to 70%

The success rate for the Bagrut matriculation exams in the Israeli Arab village of Jisr al-Zarqa has reached approximately 70%, a significant increase from a previous rate of around 38%. Murad Amash, head of the Jisr al-Zarqa Local Council, attributed this achievement to over six years of dedicated educational efforts. He expressed optimism about the results, viewing them as a crucial milestone and encouragement for continued investment in education.

Amash highlighted the crucial role of teachers taking responsibility and the enhanced partnership with parents, who are actively involved in monitoring and encouraging their children's academic pursuits. He noted that the success of high school graduates pursuing academic careers, including over 48 doctors and engineering graduates from the Technion, serves as an inspiration and boosts confidence in the possibility of higher education.

The 70% success rate primarily applies to students at Jisr al-Zarqa's comprehensive high school. The village also has a technological school, and progress has been observed in subjects like mathematics and English. A new physics program, offering five-unit courses, has been introduced alongside chemistry and biology to expand educational opportunities and prepare students for higher education.

Amash emphasized that this 70% figure is a starting point, not an endpoint, and that new programs are being implemented for early childhood and lower grades to improve reading and writing skills. The local council supports these initiatives with over 300,000 shekels annually, supplemented by grants and programs like "Perach" and individual tutoring.

He concluded by stressing that sustained improvement requires ongoing collaboration between the local council, the school, and parents, along with continued investment in early education to open broader horizons for students.