Politics08:01 · 15m ago

Former Education Minister Bennett Overstates Math Graduation Gains in Peripheral Israel

Globes

Translated & summarized from Globes by baba

Key points

01Naftali Bennett claimed a 400% increase in 5-unit math matriculation eligibility in peripheral areas during 2015-2019.
02Official data shows a 39% rise in eligibility rates in socioeconomically defined peripheral regions, from 6.7% to 9.3%.
03Bennett’s 400% figure is based on six selected localities, some not truly peripheral, and compares absolute numbers, not percentages.
04Some towns showed significant increases, others little or no change, contradicting a uniform 400% rise claim.
05Bennett cited zero-to-dozens increases in some towns, making percentage growth infinite but not representative overall.
06The investigation concludes Bennett overstated the scale of improvement, though genuine progress occurred under his tenure.

In this story

People

OrganizationsOECD, Israeli Ministry of Education

PlacesIsrael, Sderot, Tel Sheva, Kfar Vradim

The story · English

Former Israeli Prime Minister and Education Minister Naftali Bennett claimed a 400% increase in the number of students passing the 5-unit matriculation exam in mathematics in peripheral areas during his 2015-2019 tenure. However, an investigation reveals this figure is misleading and inaccurate. Official data shows that the actual improvement in eligibility rates for the 5-unit math matriculation in socioeconomically defined peripheral areas was about 39%, rising from 6.7% in the 2014-2015 school year to 9.3% in 2018-2019.

Bennett’s 400% figure is based on selected data from six specific localities, some of which, like Kfar Vradim, have high socioeconomic rankings and are not typically classified as peripheral. Additionally, the comparison periods do not fully align with Bennett’s time in office, and the claim focuses on absolute numbers rather than percentage rates, which better account for population changes. For example, in Sderot, eligibility rose from 4.6% to 11.8%, while in Tel Sheva it remained constant at 1.2%. Other localities showed varied increases, but none support a uniform 400% rise.

Bennett defended his claim by highlighting significant increases in certain towns and pointing out that in some peripheral towns with previously no candidates, the number rose from zero to dozens, making the percentage increase mathematically infinite. He also referenced a recent OECD ranking placing Israeli students last in math, emphasizing the need for systemic educational reform. Despite these assertions, the overall data confirms a more modest improvement in math matriculation eligibility in peripheral regions during his term.

The findings clarify that while Bennett’s tenure saw progress in math education, the scale of improvement in peripheral areas was overstated. The verified increase of 39% in eligibility rates reflects genuine advancement but falls far short of the claimed 400% surge. Bennett’s broader efforts to reduce educational gaps and improve core subjects remain ongoing priorities for his political agenda.

Read the original at Globes