The OECD report: Israel leads in budgets for educational institutions, but student achievements are still behind

According to the document, Israel is in 4th place in national spending on education, but lags behind in relative investment to the number of students.

The number of working hours of a teacher in Israel is lower than the average, as is the number of annual teaching days.

In terms of salary for beginning teachers: Israel is placed in the last third

Uri Sela

03/10/2022

Monday, October 03, 2022, 03:21 Updated: 12:08

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In the video: There is no strike - the teachers and the Ministry of Finance have reached agreements and preparations for the return to school are underway (photo: Reuven Castro and spokespeople for the Ministry of Finance)

Israel leads the OECD countries in national spending on educational institutions, but continues to lag behind in relative investment to the number of students - this is according to the organization's annual report on education today (Monday).

The report also points to a low number of working hours for teachers, compared to a high rating in study hours - which is not reflected in the students' achievements compared to their counterparts in other countries.

According to the document, spending on education from elementary to high school constitutes 4.8% of the gross national product in Israel, while the investment in early childhood is the fourth largest.

In calculating all stages of education, Israel is in fourth place, after Norway, Iceland and Chile.

However, in spending per student, Israel ranks 24th out of 36 countries.

Israel is also in fourth place in the increase in spending on education between 2015 and 2019, which is explained, among other things, by the increase in teachers' salaries.

These budgets accounted for 11% of total public spending in 2019.

Leader in budgets for educational institutions.

An empty classroom illustration (photo: Reuven Castro)

The report also shows that in 2020 the learning rate of 3-5 year olds in Israel was 99.5%, of 6-14 year olds 96.3%, and of 15-17 year olds 94.8%.

Under the age of three, when compulsory education begins, the learning rate was 56.9%.

Compared to the OECD average, learning rates in Israel are higher for those aged 3-5, 15-17 and under the age of three, and lower for those aged 6-14.

Israel is among the leading countries in the number of study hours, but the situation is different in terms of teaching hours and days.

A teacher in primary education teaches more face-to-face and individual hours than the OECD, but in the upper division he teaches 5% less.

In all stages of education, the number of working hours of a teacher in Israel according to employment agreements is lower than average, as is the number of annual teaching days.

In the latest PISA tests conducted by the organization, published in 2019, it seems that the investment in education fails to be effective and to bring results. Despite the high amounts flowing into the education system, Israel has fallen in achievement and was ranked below the average in all three areas - reading, science and mathematics. The gaps between the students in the country were the largest among all the countries. This year more tests were done and the results that are expected to arrive next year will indicate if the situation has changed.

More in Walla!

Salary increases of tens of percent: the understandings in the agreement that strengthen the teachers in Israel

To the full article

The teachers are behind

Teacher salaries in Israel have grabbed the headlines in recent months surrounding the negotiations on an agreement between the Teachers' Union, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education. The OECD data played a central role in the fundamental debate: the Treasury used them to prove the claim that the focus should be on young teachers, against the claim of the Teachers' Union that their salary horizon will be damaged if this approach prevails.

According to the new report, Israel is in the last third of the countries in terms of salary for beginning teachers. It is 22% lower in pre-primary education, 29% in high school, 35% in elementary and 37% In middle school, although in recent years it has increased in accordance with signed wage agreements, in all stages of education the gaps between Israel and the OECD have increased compared to last year.

Regarding the question of the horizon, Israel is in the first places of the gradual increase in wages.

After ten years of service, teachers' salaries have increased by 30% in Israel and by 29% in the OECD compared to starting salaries.

After 15 years of teaching, the salary in Israel increased by 53% and that of the OECD by 37%, and at the peak of seniority it increased in the former by 142% and in the latter by 67%.

However, the actual salary of the teachers is lower than that of the OECD in all stages of education: by 3% in pre-primary education, by 11% in the upper division, by about 12% in the middle school and by 14% in the primary education.

Student achievement is still behind.

An empty classroom illustration (photo: Reuven Castro)

In accordance with the requirement of the Ministry of Education, almost all teachers in Israel - 96-98% - have an academic education, but its nature varies.

The proportion of bachelor's degree holders decreased from 2014 to 2019, while the proportion of master's degree and doctorate holders increased significantly: about 8% in upper secondary school, about 12% in middle school, about 13% in primary education and about 15% in pre-primary education.

The group of master's degree and doctorate holders became the largest among middle school and upper school teachers, unlike in 2014.

In Israel as a whole the level of education remains relatively high.

The percentage of those with tertiary education - high school graduates with a certificate or with a degree - is the ninth of all countries, about 50%.

However, the gap between Israel and the OECD is narrowing year by year - since 2016, Israel has remained at the same rate of educated people, while other countries are steadily increasing, even if they are still behind.

88% of the population in Israel completed secondary education - which is above the OECD average of 80%.

38.3% of Israel's population has a secondary education compared to 40.6% in the OECD.

The percentage of those with a bachelor's degree and post-secondary education is higher in Israel, while the percentage of those with a master's degree and doctorate in the country is the same as the average in the other countries.

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