Israeli Teachers Union Chief Criticizes Education Minister Yoav Kish's Leadership

Ran Erez, chairman of the Israeli Secondary Teachers Union, publicly criticized Education Minister Yoav Kish, stating it would have been better to appoint a bottle as minister than Kish. Erez held a press conference to express his strong disapproval, triggered by the recent deduction of a day's salary from teachers due to a one-day war in June. Despite this, no strikes or work stoppages are planned. Erez suggested his criticism partly stems from Kish's treatment of him ahead of the Likud primaries.

Erez warned that under Kish's leadership, the education system is heading in a negative direction, with disrupted schooling and inadequate teacher training. He accused Kish of concealing student test scores and clashing with the National Authority for Measurement and Evaluation in Education (RAMA) when they attempted to publish results, even trying to dismiss RAMA's director. Erez also highlighted that Kish boasted about a 20% improvement in high-tech matriculation exam scores, which Erez attributed to Kish canceling official exams and replacing them with internal tests.

Furthermore, Erez condemned Kish for cutting thousands of hours from special education, questioning where the funds were redirected given the Ministry of Education's ample budget. He criticized the ministry's lack of preparation for remote learning post-COVID and inadequate readiness for education during wartime. Erez concluded that Kish is more focused on politics, survival, and headlines than on managing the education system effectively.