Israel education system short 3,000 teachers, raising fears over quality of learning

Israel's education system faces a shortage of 3,000 educators and 200 kindergarten teachers as of July 2026, primarily in scientific subjects and concentrated in Tel Aviv and Central districts. The shortage has led to teachers taking on subjects outside their expertise, raising concerns about unqualified staff and one teacher managing two classes simultaneously.

Israel's education system is grappling with a shortage of 3,000 educators and 200 kindergarten teachers, including 100 in special education, as of the end of July 2026, according to a KAN News report. The deficit is most acute in scientific subjects and concentrated in the Tel Aviv and Central districts. While the number is down from 5,000 in July 2025, the improvement is partly attributed to teachers taking on subjects outside their expertise—for example, sports teachers teaching English and physical education teachers leading computing classes. This has raised concerns that unqualified staff may be assigned to unfamiliar subjects or that one teacher may oversee two classes simultaneously. Israel ranks third-to-last among OECD countries in the percentage of principals reporting a decline in teaching quality due to shortages, trailing only the Netherlands and Latvia. The shortage follows threats of a strike by teachers in June over staffing and resources, particularly regarding the integration of children with disabilities into classrooms. The Teachers' Union had given an ultimatum to limit such integration, citing insufficient resources. Anat Dadon, chairwoman of the union's Early Childhood Department, called the policy "not backed by resources." Additionally, the Finance Ministry, Education Ministry, and Secondary School Teachers' Union recently decided to shorten the school week to five days, excluding Fridays.