Israeli Parties Outline Divergent Education Plans Ahead of 2026 Elections

With the 2026 school year starting in two weeks and elections two months away, Israel's leading political parties have presented their education platforms, focusing on teacher status, curriculum reforms, and AI integration.

The Yisrael Beiteinu party emphasizes strengthening state education, reducing disparities, and empowering educators. Their plan includes a core curriculum with Jewish heritage, science, and AI literacy, promoting early integration among diverse communities. They propose incorporating ultra-Orthodox education into a state-Haredi framework, making state affiliation a funding prerequisite, and establishing a national education council independent of political influence. School principals would gain greater pedagogical and budgetary autonomy, with a shift from hourly to monetary budgeting. Teacher status improvements include new employment tracks for young teachers, reduced frontal teaching hours, and integrating national service participants.

Likud, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, plans to adapt education to the AI era with personalized learning and AI-assisted English instruction for middle schoolers. They aim to integrate special education within mainstream schools, limit mobile phone use, and enhance Jewish-Zionist identity. The party also proposes a new vocational program called "Heritage Paths" and financial literacy courses. Higher education plans include expanding access for reservists and combating institutional politicization.

The Beyachad party prioritizes overhauling the education system to be decentralized and professional, with a national council setting a stable core curriculum. They seek to end public funding for ultra-Orthodox schools that do not teach core subjects and aim for full ultra-Orthodox integration into state-Haredi education within eight years. Their platform addresses the Arab sector by improving Hebrew and STEM education and tackling violence. Teacher crisis solutions include higher entry standards, starting salaries of 12,000 shekels, mentoring, and emotional welfare support.

The Democrats, led by Yair Golan, propose a state education council to ensure stability and independence, expanding democracy and citizenship studies. They advocate abolishing special status and funding for partisan ultra-Orthodox schools, promoting state-Haredi education instead. Their plan calls for decentralization, professionalization, and increased investment in students and teachers.

Yisrael Beiteinu focuses on adapting education to 21st-century challenges, enhancing school leadership autonomy, and linking funding to a mandatory core curriculum. They propose preventing anti-Zionist content and require teachers to pass citizenship tests. Higher education funding and research development would be significantly increased.

These diverse platforms reflect contrasting visions for Israel's education system, with common themes of AI integration, ultra-Orthodox education reform, and teacher empowerment. The upcoming elections will determine which approach shapes the future of Israeli education.