Israeli Students Face Learning Gaps as School Year Ends Amid War and Pandemic Disruptions

The 2023-2024 school year in Israel concludes on Wednesday, marking another challenging academic cycle for students who endured significant disruptions. The ongoing conflict with Iran led to school closures totaling about five weeks, excluding Passover break, resulting in a loss of 21 school days. Over the past six years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, strikes, and wars, Israeli students have cumulatively lost nearly an entire school year, exacerbating educational and emotional disparities.

High school students struggled particularly with remote learning, despite some exam accommodations. The matriculation exam schedule was compressed, forcing many students to forgo social events and trips due to stress and workload. National exam results, which Education Minister Yoav Kish reportedly tried to withhold, revealed a bleak picture: only 38% of ninth graders met proficiency in their native language, 22% in English, and a mere 3% in science. While there was an increase in students qualifying for advanced matriculation in math, English, physics, and computer science, it remains unclear if this reflects broader improvement or just top performers.

Despite the urgent need to address learning gaps, no decision was made to extend the school year into summer. Over one billion shekels were allocated to expand informal summer programs, but participation rates were low. The systemic response to close these educational gaps appears insufficient for the near future, with hopes pinned on improvements next year.