Israel’s education system is facing a serious collapse that poses an existential threat to the nation, according to former education minister Yoav Kisch, who has raised alarm over plummeting grades in science and mathematics. The concerning trend in academic performance has prompted calls for a fundamental shift in how schools approach student wellbeing and mental health.

Former minister Kisch has made an impassioned appeal for educators to prioritise the emotional and psychological development of students, arguing that academic achievement cannot be divorced from a child’s emotional state. “A hand will not solve a problem if the heart is not engaged,” he said, using a Hebrew metaphor to emphasise the importance of fostering passion and motivation alongside traditional teaching methods.

The warnings have intensified among Israeli parliamentarians, with Labour party member Gal Giv launching a scathing critique of current Education Minister Yoav Kisch, declaring that “the system is in collapse.” Giv’s comments reflect growing concern within the Knesset about the trajectory of Israeli education and its long-term implications for the country’s future competitiveness and social cohesion.

The debate comes at a time when Israeli schools are grappling with multiple challenges, including teacher shortages, resource constraints, and the lingering effects of disruptions to the academic calendar. Education experts have increasingly pointed to the need for holistic reforms that address not only curriculum and teaching methods but also the mental health crisis affecting many Israeli schoolchildren.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.