Education Minister Shares School Memories, Outlines New Initiatives

As the new school year begins, Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch reminisced about his own school days, noting his strengths in mathematics and challenges with literature. When asked about his favorite sandwich filling, he humorously described it as a "well-known battle," but revealed his preference for hummus and sausage.

Kisch addressed students starting the academic year, encouraging them to believe in themselves and persevere through difficulties. This year, approximately 2.611 million students are returning to 27,757 educational institutions. Around 180,000 children are beginning first grade, while nearly 159,000 12th graders are entering their final year.

The Ministry of Education is introducing several changes this year, including financial literacy for ninth graders, expanded use of artificial intelligence in education, and enhanced STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) studies. The financial literacy program aims to equip teenagers with practical money management skills before entering adulthood, with plans to extend it to tenth grade in the following year.

Additionally, the ministry is broadening its AI program, which adapts teaching methods to the increasing presence of AI tools. This program will be implemented in English classes across middle schools and in STEM subjects in about 140 schools. Over 12,000 English and STEM teachers are expected to receive AI training.