Education System on the Brink: 'Fewer and Fewer Young People Believe in Democracy'

Educators point to a deep crisis in the system: teacher burnout, overcrowded classrooms, lack of training, suppression of critical thinking, and budgetary discrimination. They propose steps to stop attrition and improve teaching quality, including strengthening the teacher's sense of purpose and investing in kindergartens.

Educators point to a deep crisis in the Israeli education system, including teacher burnout, overcrowded classrooms, lack of training, suppression of critical thinking, and budgetary discrimination. Tzvia Anpanger Elmalih emphasizes the importance of boundaries in school and the need for an internal organizational infrastructure that gives teachers a voice. Amos Shapira notes that guidance and training are lacking, and that classes of 30 or more children prevent good education. Rami Hod argues that a child in state education receives less than a child in state religious education, and adds that there has been persecution of principals and teachers in state education, creating a chilling effect that drives away principled people. He links the value crisis, in which fewer and fewer young people believe in democracy, to the neglect of state education. The experts propose significantly raising teachers' salaries and allowing them to engage in education.