Israel Education Ministry Publishes Grim Tanufa Test Results Amid Dispute
The Israeli Ministry of Education published severe Tanufa test results, showing only 3 percent of ninth graders meeting science standards, amid a dispute with RAMA.
Following disappointing PISA results, the Ministry of Education unexpectedly published the Meitzav test results—now rebranded as "Tanufa" tests—revealing a severe crisis in Israel's educational system. Only 3% of ninth-grade students fully met science and technology curriculum requirements, with 16% coming close. In sixth-grade mathematics, 37% fully met the requirements and 26% were close.
New Hebrew Exam and Ministerial Conflict
A new Hebrew exam for Arabic-speaking sixth graders conducted by RAMA (National Authority for Measurement and Evaluation in Education) showed that 20% fully met curriculum standards and 36% approached them. Education Minister Yoav Kisch had previously barred publication, alleging bias by RAMA CEO Dr. Gal Alon. The release followed Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's directive, though executed independently without RAMA's involvement.
«The presentation of results and findings in the reports, as well as RAMA's working processes with the ministry, are undergoing an external professional review conducted by Prof. Ami Moyal.»
RAMA's Defense and Criticism
RAMA strongly rejected the ministry's criticism, stating that international studies show Israel's educational achievements have dropped back decades, with one of the world's highest shortages of qualified teachers. RAMA defended its findings, arguing that attempts to question the data divert attention from core educational challenges.
