Education Ministry announces mandatory financial education classes for ninth, tenth grades

The Education Ministry announced mandatory financial education classes for ninth and tenth graders starting in the 2026-2027 school year. About 550 teachers have been trained, with 750 more to start in September and 1,300 in October. The curriculum covers consumer behavior, money and banking, labor market, and investments. Education Minister Yoav Kisch initiated the program and welcomed it as a step in preparing the next generation.

The Education Ministry announced mandatory financial education classes for ninth and tenth graders, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Approximately 550 teachers have already been trained, with another 750 expected to begin training in early September. In October, about 1,300 teachers will undergo a 60-hour training program for ninth-grade teachers, with additional courses for tenth-grade teachers opening in early 2027. The curriculum combines economic knowledge, behavioral psychology, and life skill development, split into four main topics: responsible consumer behavior and financial decision making, money and banking, the labor market in a changing world, and investments, opportunities, and risks. Ninth-grade students will learn about factors impacting economic decisions, distinguishing necessities from luxuries, marketing mechanisms, and social pressure. The money and banking module covers basic concepts like supply and demand, inflation, and payment methods. The labor market module introduces rights of working teenagers, and the investments module covers interest, savings, and insurance. In tenth grade, the curriculum expands to include personal goals, budget planning, and financial decisions for short-term and long-term goals. It also covers technological changes, future professions, and reading pay slips. Students will learn about investment options including capital market, real estate, human capital, and foreign currency, understanding risk and return. Education Minister Yoav Kisch, who initiated the program, welcomed the announcement, calling it an important step in preparing the next generation. He expressed pride in leading this revolution and providing every student with a practical financial toolkit.