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Education in Israel

Is there a myth in Israel education?

Israel is not ranked as one of the first places among the developed world. This is a sad reality but it is getting much better. The children in Israel are not well trained in school, and the main “job” of the system is to make the children pass the different exams given by the system to the system!

Children are not reading books or having to write book reports. They know very little about “science fair” projects, for example; they know even less math even less.

The most problematic issue though is the violence and complete lack of obedience among the students.

It takes a teacher an average of 10-15 minutes to get silence in the class before starting to teach a 45-50 minutes class.

Please be aware of the problems. Ask your children about “bullying.” Ask your children, and then check them out for yourself. What about homework? It is not welcomed here as is in the US, for example.

Most importantly, please support up the teachers. We are near a chaos situation where teachers are afraid of the parents, the system, the police, the courts, and, sadly, they are afraid of the children! Good teachers are leaving the profession, and they are all going to private institutions.

Compulsory Education

Compulsory education in Israel, requires children from the age of five through age 16 (or through 10th grade) to be educated (via school attendance or home schooling). State schools are supposed to be "free" but are not without cost – refer to the Cost of Free Education section below. Education is not compulsory for those from the age of 16 until completing high school.

Cost of Free Education

School is supposed to be "free," but there are many expenses that add up to a considerable sum such as: books, study materials, backpacks, school trips, cultural activities, enrichment programs (during and after school hours), school supplies (those you purchase plus those the teacher purchases), transportation, required clothing, teacher gifts (participation is expected and gifts are selected by a parent`s committee), etc. When figuring school costs, be sure to take this into account because a private school may actually cost less and provide your child with an education closer to what you desire! Always be sure to ask if financial assistance or discounts are available to new immigrant students, it often is.

School Systems to Choose From

There are three main tracks of government-run schools in Israel. There are also private and semi-private schools that receive partial government funding. Understanding the standard Israeli terms that define one`s hashkafa (philosophy) will provide you with the knowledge you will need when selecting the right school system for your child.

Chiloni: Non-religious, secular government-run schools.
Masorati: Traditional, may be government-run, semi-private or completely tuition- based.
Dati-Leumi (aka Mamlachti-Dati or Mamad): National Religious, government-run schools. There is a commitment, with varying levels of intensity (based upon the community) to a Torah observant lifestyle. Judaic courses, taught from an Orthodox perspective are offered daily. Classes may or may not cease being coed anywhere from 3 to 6th grade.
Dati Leumi Torani: Usually private (tuition-based) or semi-private (partially government funded + tuition). Dati Leumi Torani schools are appropriate for families for whom Torah learning and mitzvah observance play a critical role in their lives. Schools have separate boys and girls classes from early on. The day includes more Torah studies than a traditional Dati Leumi school, and provides a longer school day (usually dismissing from regular studies between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m.).
Chardal: An abbreviation standing for: Chareidi Dati Leumi, these schools are privately funded (tuition-based). This term has widely been used to define the Anglo Orthodox religious sector that follow a Charedi lifestyle, yet may also serve in the army in religious units, attend a Hesder yeshiva, and pursue a work career.
Chareidi: Right wing- Orthodox (boys are not expected to pursue a career outside of Torah or serve in the military). In the boy`s division there is a strong focus on Torah learning with a minimalist approach to secular studies. Girl`s schools offer strong Torah education, with secular studies continuing through high school.

In addition to these options, some communities offer theme-based schools (e.g., arts, animals, trades, mathematics, engineering, experimental social development, etc.), as well as those for children with special needs.

School Divisions

Day Care – Trom Trom (ages 3 months - 3 years)

Day Care begins as early as 3 months and is up to 3 years. The institutions offering day care are governmental, institutional, or municipality-run. (For example: Wizo, Emunah, Naamat, and community centers offer this program.) They may be subsidized or have a sliding fee, depending on parents’ work and/or financial situation.

Hours generally run from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm, with meals included. Many people use day care because the mother returns to work after a 3-month paid maternity leave. While day care is usually of good quality, parents must use their good sense to judge.

Pre-Compulsory Kindergarten – Trom Chova (ages 3 - 5 years)

Pre-compulsory kindergarten in Israel, called "Trom Chova" (although some refer to it as "Gan") is for children aged 3-5 years old. Generally, the municipality runs these preschools, although the different religious communities also have their own private preschools. The hours are usually from 7:30 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., with an option for afternoon care until 4:00 p.m. (in some, but not all, preschools). If transportation is needed, private driving companies are generally available, for an extra cost. The monthly cost of preschool varies from place to place. Check your rights as new immigrants for additional discounts.

Compulsory Kindergarten – Gan Chova (ages 5 - 6 years)

Kindergarten or "Gan Chova" (required preschool) is "free" to children ages 5-6. As mentioned above, there are additional fees for music teachers, reading instructions, cultural programs and many other "required" activities. The hours are generally 8 a.m. to 12 or 1 p.m.

Elementary School - Beit Sefer Yesodi (1st – 6th grade, ages 6 - 12 years)

Curriculum varies based on the type of school you select. Schools operate 6 days per week and hours are comparatively short in Israel with government schools beginning at 8:00 a.m. and dismissing anywhere from 11:30 to 2:00 p.m. (depending upon the day of the week). With new laws and reforms taking place, many schools now have longer hours.

After standard school hours there are fee-based courses known as "chug" or "chugim" (plural) that can run as late as 6 p.m. Chugim vary from cooking, chess, computers, electronics, arts, etc. to a variety of sports. Be aware that many communities dismiss early on Tuesdays in order for children to participate in youth movements such as Bnei Akiva, Beitar, Scouts, etc., and on Fridays for Shabbat preparations.

Hours for private schools vary, so you need to contact the particular school for this information.

Middle and High School (ages 12 - 18 years)

High School may begin in the 7th grade, or the 9th grade.

Some junior high schools consist of grades 7 to 9.

Senior high schools include grades 9 to 12.

And they are known by many names depending upon the organization of a community`s schools:

Middle School: Chativat Beynayim; lower school division (7th-9th grade, ages 12 - 15): Chativat Tachtona
High School: Tichon; upper school division (10th-12th grade, ages 15 - 18): Chativat Elyona
- Girls` Religious Junior/Senior High School: Ulpana
- Chareidi Girls` Religious School System: Beit Yaakov
- Yeshiva High School with No Secular Studies: Yeshiva Ketanah
- Boys` Yeshiva High School: Yeshiva Tichoni

Again, there are several options to choose from, depending on your religious, political, and cultural orientation. Many students go to boarding high schools where they live on- campus. These consist of yeshivot for religious people as well as youth villages, agricultural schools, those for children at risk and those for students with special needs.

It pays to ask other parents where they are sending their youngsters and get as much information as possible before choosing a school. Most high schools have orientation meetings during the registration period.

High school students in Israel must take the "Bagrut" (matriculation) exams to gain entrance to higher education institutions. These begin in the 10th grade and continue until the 12th grade. They are quite intense, and again, changes are being made in the system all the time, so check with each individual school for their requirements and whether there are exceptions and concessions for immigrant students.

The tuition amount is dependent upon whether the high school is private or public.

Studies usually begin at 8 a.m. and last until 12:45 to 3 p.m.

Immigrant students are generally admitted to the same grade as they were abroad and parents should request meetings with school educational advisors to discuss their children`s strengths, weaknesses and difficulties.

Higher Education

Israel has many different options to choose from to obtain an academic degree, including eight universities and numerous colleges. The primary universities are:

Additionally, there are many private and specialized institutions.

Presently a "psychometric" exam is required for acceptance (but the rules are changing). Be sure to inquire at each institution about their individual requirements.

A Final Word

If you are still abroad, planning aliyah, the best ways to find out about education in Israel is to talk to olim. Write to olim who have come already and have children the age of your children and ask, ask, ask.

If you do not know anyone, ask your shaliach/shlicha for names of families who have made Aliyah who have children the age of your children, make e-mail friends and ask, ask, ask.

Expect differences and changes from what you and your children are used to. Be prepared to keep a special vigil on your children and maintain close contact with the teachers and the school. Contact school principals to find out what is coming to you as an immigrant parent. Be prepared to hire tutors if necessary. Do not hesitate to take advantage of school counselors and other community service agencies.

If you need assistance determining which school will best serve your child`s needs, you might consider contacting Lamdeni.