Worrying Trend: Teachers Abandoning the Education System Immediately After Training
The sense of mission has been replaced by frustration: about half of teaching students do not intend to enter classrooms, and the number of graduates has reached a decade low. Data from the CBS and the Knesset reveal that one in five new teachers leaves within five years. Three teachers who decided to quit share their stories of shattered dreams: "The system does not allow for true education."
One in ten new teachers leaves as early as the first year. Many enter the field out of a sense of mission and a genuine desire to influence the next generation, yet about 3,000 teaching graduates choose not to work in the field upon completing their studies. Furthermore, many break under the pressure shortly after starting. In 2025, only 8,461 students completed the teacher training track, the lowest number in the last decade.
Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Knesset's Research and Information Center reveal a worrying picture: one in five new teachers leaves the education system within five years. A survey by the National Union of Students shows that 31% of those who studied teaching do not intend to continue in the system, while 36% remain undecided. Only 43% are interested in teaching, and 32% have considered changing their career path.
"The chaos in the system is well felt"
Adi Grama Sar-Shabi, who holds a master's degree and a teaching certificate, quit her job as a first-grade teacher after only three months; today, she owns a pet store and works as a dog groomer. "Teaching was my biggest dream," she said. "I wanted to be significant to children, but I discovered a huge gap between academic theory and reality. The system is rigid; veteran staff dislike newcomers, and there is no support when dealing with boundary-crossing parents." She added that a salary of 4,200 NIS for a 78% position was demoralizing. In her class of nine teaching students, only one remains in the field.
Until a few years ago, the Ministry of Education denied the teacher shortage, claiming it was an isolated issue. Today, it is clear that this is a broad problem. Students who begin their studies full of motivation discover during their internship that they are entering a bureaucratic system with large classes, discipline issues, and a lack of professional guidance.
"The dream clashes with a harsh reality"
Liran Basson, Deputy Chairman of the National Union of Students, is finishing his training this year. Despite his dream of being an influential teacher, two weeks of practical experience were enough to realize the system is worn out. "They don't teach us how to handle a class of 35 students where children ignore the teacher and parents call to scream at us," he shared. "I came with a sense of mission, but now I intend to study law."
Gil Padlon, Chairman of the Student Union at Beit Berl College, added: "In the first years, the goal is just to survive. You receive no tools to deal with violence or boycotts. The system doesn't see you; it only wants industrial peace. I come home exhausted, with no time for a personal life."
Sivan Koren, Chair of the National Union of Students, stated: "When half of the students choosing to study teaching decide not to enter the system, it is a national crisis. The State of Israel must invest in quality training, professional support, and proper employment conditions. This is our responsibility toward the future generation."
