Over 1.12 Million Israeli Students Join National Summer Education Programs

The Israeli Ministry of Education announced that 1,121,594 students will participate in the National Summer Program, which spans from kindergartens through middle schools. The academic year 5786 (2025-2026) officially ended on Tuesday for kindergartens and elementary schools, but educational activities will continue throughout the summer break. The program includes a variety of educational, social, and value-based frameworks across the country, with a total investment of approximately one billion shekels.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch emphasized that "the school year ends today, but education does not take a vacation," highlighting the ministry's commitment to providing students with stability, resilience, and new opportunities during the summer. The program aims to ensure educational continuity, reduce gaps, and offer every child a meaningful, safe, and enriching summer.

The summer program is designed with principles of choice, flexibility, and local adaptation, covering all age groups from kindergarten to middle school. Over 821,000 children will participate in general summer frameworks for kindergartens and schools, about 191,000 students will join the "Summer Plus" program for grades 4-6, and more than 109,000 middle school students will attend new summer preparatory courses focusing on academic reinforcement alongside STEM, artificial intelligence, mathematics, science, and English.

The highest participation rates were recorded in the Northern and Southern districts, with 166,786 and 191,378 participants respectively. In addition to the national program, the Ministry of Education will run various informal activities such as summer camps, youth movements, the "Northern Spirit" program in conflict-line communities, and safety initiatives like "Beaches" and "Safe Summer" operating at recreational sites and beaches nationwide.