"If the media doesn't want to - don't publish": Kisch's stunt ahead of the elections

Education Minister Yoav Kisch published partial data on an increase in the number of students taking 5-unit matriculation exams in the real sciences, comparing only to the pre-war year (2023), without a full picture of exam results, eligibility rates, and winter matriculation data. Kisch presented the data at a press briefing, and when asked about the timing of its publication ahead of the elections, replied: "If the media doesn't want to - don't publish."

Education Minister Yoav Kisch held a press briefing in which he presented data on an increase in the number of students taking 5-unit matriculation exams in the real sciences (physics, English, mathematics). The data was compared to the 2023 school year, the year before the war, and not to recent years. Kisch did not present the full picture: exam results, the percentage of students eligible for an enhanced matriculation certificate out of all students, and winter matriculation data (which have not yet been included). When asked about the timing of publishing the positive but partial data ahead of the elections, Kisch replied: "I saw fit to share this data with the public already now, if the media doesn't want to - don't publish." According to the data, physics saw the sharpest increase in the number of examinees for 5 units - from 14,701 in 2023 to 17,528 in 2026. In English, the number rose from 61,033 to 70,587, and in mathematics from 21,126 to 24,129. The proportion of examinees out of all 12th-grade students also rose: in physics from 11.54% to 12.52%, in English from 47.91% to 50.40% (crossing the 50% threshold), and in mathematics from 16.59% to 17.23%. The Education Ministry noted that the data are not final and may be updated. The article presents Kisch's selective choice in presenting the data as part of a political move ahead of the elections, while quoting his defiant response toward the media.