Avigdor Lieberman Calls to Reform Israel’s Education System to Better Prepare Youth for Future Challenges

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Israel Beiteinu party, emphasized the urgent need to reform Israel’s education system to better prepare students for contemporary realities rather than outdated models. Speaking from his personal experience as a grandfather, Lieberman noted that his granddaughter, about to enter 12th grade, values practical preparation for military service and real-life skills over traditional academic grades. He argued that the education debate now directly impacts national security, social resilience, and economic competitiveness.

Lieberman highlighted that Israel invests thousands of hours in schooling, with over 6,000 hours in elementary and more than 7,000 in high school, yet much of this time is spent on repetitive content and rote memorization rather than fostering creativity, independent thinking, and problem-solving skills. He called for a fundamental shift in priorities, transforming the final year of high school into a transition year focused on life skills, leadership, digital literacy, financial management, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.

The proposed reform would allow students to choose practical experiences aligned with their talents and aspirations, ranging from industry and innovation to academia and community work. Lieberman stressed that this approach would strengthen social cohesion, expand equal opportunities, and better prepare youth for military service, higher education, or the workforce. He concluded that Israel’s future strength depends not only on advanced weaponry but on the quality of its people, urging the education system to build a generation of responsible citizens, leaders, and professionals ready for the challenges ahead.