Broad Coalition Demands Clear Plans to Rescue Israel’s Public Education System
A new coalition named "The Coalition to Save Public Education" has been formed, uniting educators, local leaders, policy experts, academics, school administrators, teachers, parents, and students. Its goal is to bring public education back to the forefront of Israel's national agenda and make it a central issue in the upcoming elections and the next government. The coalition was established amid a prolonged crisis in the public education system, characterized by declining student achievements, a growing shortage of educational staff, widening gaps between central and peripheral regions and among different educational streams, rising violence among youth, erosion of educators’ status, and diminishing public trust.
The coalition plans to operate publicly, professionally, and politically during and after the election campaign. It will publish research, data, and policy papers, hold conferences and public events, and amplify the voices of educators, parents, and students. It will also present a public demands document, requiring every political party seeking public trust to present a clear vision for the future of public education and commit to practical steps. Key demands include nominating a qualified education minister candidate, establishing a national education council and a council for Hebrew public education, ensuring budget equality across all education streams, and making long-term investments in educational and administrative staff.
Among the coalition’s leaders are Rami Hod, CEO of the Berl Katznelson Foundation’s Ideological Center; Dr. Michal Tavivian Mizrahi, founder and CEO of the Menor Center; Shirley Rimon Bracha, CEO of the Next Generation Foundation; Dr. Ariel Levy, CEO of the Council for Hebrew Public Education; and Prof. Manuel Trachtenberg. Several local government heads have joined, including Rotem Yadlin (Gezer Regional Council), Ran Konik (Givatayim), Ido Greenblum (Kiryat Tivon), Shlomit Shichor Reichman (Emek Yizrael), Yariv Fisher (Herzliya), and others.
Rami Hod criticized the previous government for deepening neglect and discrimination against public education compared to religious streams, calling on the next government to prioritize public education nationally. Rotem Yadlin highlighted daily budgetary gaps and challenges in managing education systems, emphasizing that education is foundational for all children’s futures. Shirley Rimon Bracha stressed that education is Israel’s most important and neglected national infrastructure, affecting security, economy, and health. Dr. Ariel Levy warned the system is near a critical breaking point, urging political commitments in coalition agreements to close budget gaps and improve quality. Dr. Michal Tavivian Mizrahi called the education crisis a consequence of years of neglect and demanded practical plans, qualified minister candidates, and clear commitments from all parties during the election.
The coalition’s launch was marked by a moment of silence in the Knesset Education Committee, remembering 48 children who will not return to school, with Chairman MK Yosef Tayeb praying for the hostages and IDF soldiers’ safety. The coalition aims to make education a decisive factor in the upcoming elections and government formation, demanding tangible political and budgetary commitments to restore and strengthen Israel’s public education system.
