Teachers Union Chief Blasts Education Minister Kisch Over PISA Test Failure
Secondary School Teachers Organization Chairman Ran Erez severely criticized Education Minister Yoav Kisch following dismal PISA results, citing systemic anarchy, poor management, and a lack of educational priorities.
Ran Erez, Chairman of the Secondary School Teachers' Organization, launched a scathing attack against Minister of Education Yoav Kisch following the release of the latest PISA test results during an interview on 103fm with Anat Davidov.
PISA Results and Criticism of Minister Kisch
Addressing the dismal PISA scores, Erez stated bluntly that the failure was entirely predictable.
«Where hasn't Kisch failed? This was expected because for four years he has zigzagged and nothing has been consistent, nothing permanent. In fact, a few hours ago he published a video about a year of war, absolute nonsense. PISA tests are conducted in the 10th grade, and if children do not know mathematics, science, or language, it means they lack reading comprehension. The failure was completely expected.»
Erez argued that Kisch lacks managerial competence, noting: «You need a good manager, and he is not one, and Kisch did not know how to manage this system.» He added that instead of focusing on fundamental issues like online learning or basic literacy, Kisch wants to promote artificial intelligence while children still struggle to read properly.
Systemic Crisis and Lack of Discipline
According to Erez, the crisis in the education system extends far beyond the current tenure, pointing to long-term neglect by successive governments.
«The system is a mess, there is no discipline, teachers are fleeing from it, new teachers are not coming, and they have no status. Parents tell teachers what grades to give the children, and there is immense anarchy. This failure has been going on for many years; no ministry and no government has ever placed education at the top of its priorities. Education today is security, livelihood, economy, medicine—everything is based on education, and they don't see it.»
Erez also accused Kisch of attempting to conceal the PISA results, arguing that the Ministry of Education suffers from an inherent conflict of interest as a regulator, funder, supervisor, and employer of teachers all at once. Questioning Kisch's administrative capacity to oversee 200,000 teachers, 5,000 schools, and two million students, Erez remarked sarcastically: «I don't know if he is even capable of tying his shoelaces.»
Political Motives and Funding Concerns
Asked whether the management and allocation of educational funding—particularly within the ultra-Orthodox sector—are tainted by political motives, Erez agreed. He pointed out that thousands of ultra-Orthodox individuals registered as members of the ruling Likud party to influence primaries and secure budget allocations.
Concluding with proposed solutions, Erez emphasized the urgent need to restore discipline, protect teachers' authority from political and parental interference, and elevate the status of the teaching profession to attract new educators.
