Yoav Kisch

Israel's education system is failing its kids - editorial

Only 3% of ninth-grade students who took Israel’s national science exam reached the high standard set by the Education Ministry. More than half were reportedly at a low or medium-low.

Children return to school following the ceasefire in the war with Hezbollah at Gamla Primary School in Katsrin, Golan Heights, April 19, 2026.
Israeli students return to school, September 1, 2025.

Israel to ban cell phones in middle schools, Education Ministry confirms

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ministers Smotrich and Kisch.

Netanyahu, Kisch, Smotrich allocate over NIS 1b., outline AI education plan for summer schools

Children return to school in Rishon LeZion following a ceasefire in the war with Iran, April 9, 2026.

School system to fully reopen across Israel starting Sunday, Education Ministry confirms


Education Ministry to investigate dropping STEM test scores

Israel's Education Minister has ordered a review after the country dropped 14 places in international math and science rankings.

 Keshet high school students take the mathematics Bagrut in Tel Aviv

Israel's high school students skip class as threats of further strikes ramp up

Students began a strike of their own, initiated by Israel's National Student and Youth Council and the National Parent Leadership.

An empty classroom

UTJ threatens Knesset boycott amid Education funding standoff

United Torah Judaism (UTJ) has threatened to boycott the Knesset plenum until their concerns over Haredi education funding are addressed.

 UTJ MK Yisrael Eichler points at a fellow lawmaker in the Knesset plenum.

School year at risk: Teachers' strike will impact 2.4 million students

The looming teachers' strike could disrupt the return to school of 2.4 million students. The strike, driven by salary disputes, threatens to keep many high school students at home.

 View of an empty classroom at a school in Tel Aviv, during a general strike of some Municipalities and local authorities, on May 15, 2023.

Education Ministry to introduce mandatory Hebrew tests for Israeli Arab students

Israel's Education Ministry introduces the "Hebrew for Life" program for Arabic-speaking students to improve their language proficiency and integration into Israeli society and its job market.

 Education Minister Yoav Kisch speaks at a conference of the Israeli newspaper "Makor Rishon", in the southern Israeli city of Sderot, March 19, 2024.

Amid war, Israeli educators should focus on social-emotional learning - opinion

Every Israeli child has been deeply affected by the war. Educators must focus on social-emotional learning to support them.

 Education Minister Yoav Kisch speaks during a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on April 15, 2024

Haredi schools to enter new salary agreement despite finance and justice ministry reservations

Israel's Education Minister plans to implement new regulations for major haredi school systems despite unresolved concerns from finance and justice ministries.

 Education Minister Yoav Kisch speaks during a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on April 15, 2024

Govt approves two new candidates for Council for Higher Education amid claims of politicization

"The takeover of academia by politics is the beginning of the end of democracy," VERA chairman and president of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev said.

 Education Minister Yoav Kisch seen at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on March 15, 2023

Grapevine July 21, 2024: More than a yellow ribbon

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 FROM LEFT: Businessman Eli Elezra, Dr. Pinchas  Haliva, and Dr. Shimon Ohayon.

Ministers approve Netanyahu proposal to adapt 2022 haredi conscription law

Attorney General: Not relevant to today's reality, lacks 'factual professional foundations'

 (L-R) A-G Gali Baharav-Miara, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu