Israel

Misrad HaHinuch Medinat Yisrael

Link(s): Hebrew

Description of the Israeli Education System
Please see below
Description of the Israeli Education System
February 2026

 

 

 

Israel, a country with limited natural resources, relies on the strength of its human capital.

Since its establishment, education has been recognized as a strategic national priority and a cornerstone of economic growth, social cohesion, and innovation. Israel has made sustained investments across the entire educational continuum – from early childhood and compulsory schooling, through upper secondary education, to higher education, universities, and world-class research centers.

 

v  Key Indicators:

·       Total Population: 10.18 million

·       Student Population:  2.6 million (Kindergarten – Grade 12)

·       National Investment: approximately 90 billion NIS, the largest civilian budget in Israel

·       Educational Workforce:  approximately 208,000 teachers and 5,800 principals

·       Infrastructure: 21,600 kindergartens and 5,807 schools

 

v  Structural Framework:

Education in Israel is primarily a public service, mandated and regulated under the Compulsory Education Law.

·       Compulsory Years: Education is mandatory and free of charge for ages 5 - 18

·       Early Access: Free funding programs begin at age 3

·       Educational Stages:

o   Early Childhood: Ages 0 - 3

o   Pre-Primary: Ages 3 - 6 (Kindergarten / Preschool)

o   Primary School: Ages 6 - 12 (Grades 1 - 6)

o   Junior High: Ages 12 - 15 (Grades 7 - 9)

o   High School: Ages 15 - 18 (Grades 10 - 12, culminating in matriculation exams)

 

v Diversity within a National Framework:

Israel’s education system balances a shared national foundation with respect for cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity. Instruction is primarily in Hebrew and Arabic, and the system is organized into five main streams:

·   State: Majority of students; instruction mainly in Hebrew

·   State-Religious: Integrates general and Jewish studies; instruction mainly in Hebrew

·   Arab, Druze, and Circassian: Instruction primarily in Arabic; curricula reflect community   

    heritage

·   Recognized but Unofficial: Ultra-Orthodox and church-affiliated schools

·   Independent: Private or international schools

 

v  Core Curriculum (State-Mandated Curriculum):

A national framework ensuring that all students acquire essential knowledge, skills, and values for life in society and the modern workforce.

 

Core Curriculum varies by sector to include mother tongue, heritage, and religious studies as appropriate.

 

 

        Key Objectives of Core Curriculum:

·    Common Foundation: Establish essential skills in language, mathematics, science, history,

     and civics.

·    Equal Opportunities: Bridge gaps between societal sectors and reduce disparities.

·    21st-Century Skills: Promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific-technological   

     literacy.

·    Cultural Flexibility: Maintain national standards while respecting diverse cultural and

     educational goals.

 

v Key Programs and Initiatives:

      Innovation & Future Skills

·       Educational Technologies and AI Innovation - Leveraging AI and digital platforms to personalize learning and foster future-ready skills through advanced pedagogical models.

·       STEM Excellence - Strengthening proficiency in mathematics, sciences, and engineering to maintain Israel’s technological edge and expand access to high-level technical education.

·       Educational Innovation and Local Initiatives - Operating experimental schools and grassroots initiatives that develop new pedagogical models and generate educational knowledge.

·       Vocational Education - Preparing students with industry-relevant skills and hands-on experience for successful careers in a changing economy.

     Wellbeing & Inclusion

Special Education and Inclusion - Implementing a comprehensive support system that ensures equitable access for students with special needs, through both specialized frameworks and mainstream integration.
Psychological and Educational Counseling (SHEFI) - Providing psychological and preventive services for students, parents, and educators, focusing on wellbeing and resilience.
Education for Gifted and Outstanding Students - Providing enrichment programs addressing the unique educational, emotional, and social needs of gifted students.
Immigrant Student Integration - Providing targeted programs to support the linguistic, academic, and social integration of immigrant students.
  
   Values & Identity

Values, Life Skills, and Prevention - Strengthening resilience and decision-making to prevent violence, while fostering a culture of respectful communication.
Heritage and Identity - Fostering cultural awareness and a sense of belonging across the Jewish, Arab, and Circassian education systems.
Students’ Rights and Democratic Values - Promoting respect for rights, responsibility, and democratic conduct within educational frameworks.

Non-Formal Education and Youth Engagement:

The Ministry is responsible for the non-formal sector, fostering values, social skills, and leadership through voluntary, experiential programs such as youth movements and community centers that emphasize personal growth and community involvement.

 

"Roots Program": A national initiative to strengthen Jewish and Zionist identity within the education system. Alongside core subjects, the program integrates heritage, Bible, and history as mandatory pillars, based on the principle that a deep connection to national roots is essential for the development of Israel's future generations.

Basic data on all aspects of universities in Israel, with links to institutions

Link(s): Hebrew, English, Arabic

Council for higher education in Israel- Recognized institutions
Database of institutions

Link(s): English, Hebrew, Arabic

Framework

Israeli National Qualifications Framework
Currently Israel still doesn't have an NQF in place.
The discussions on the establishment of an Israeli NQF started in 2018 in the framework of a Twinning project lead by CIMEA (Italian Naric) and financed by the EU. 
The discussions are on-going, and this page will be updated in due course.

Self-Certification

Rules of Degrees' Evaluation
Guidlines for the evaluation of foreign academic degrees

Link(s): English, Hebrew
Evaluation of Foreign Academic Degrees
EnglishRussianArabic

Link(s): English, Russian, Arabic, French, Spanish

Responsible organisation

Information on DS (legislation, template, chart, etc)

Verification of Bagrut Authenticity
In order to verify the authenticity of the Bagrut submitted to you, please ask your applicants to present the diploma bearing the stamp as presented in the attached document.
This is the stamp of the Examinations Department and it should appear on the diploma in addition to the Apostille.

The stamp states:

Ministry of Education
Examinations Department
I hereby confirm the correctness of this document's details
Date_____ Signature _______
Haya Maor
Director Deputy
The last two lines appear only on new diplomas, however also old stamps are valid.

Sample of Stamp

Basic data on all aspect of non-university higher education, with links to institutions

Link(s): Hebrew, English, Arabic

affidavit for those who fled Ukraine during the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war due to danger who does not have the necessary documents in his/her possession.
This affidavit should be completed by a new immigrant/holder of a permit to work in Israel who has fled Ukraine during the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war due to danger who does not have the necessary documents in his/her possession and therefore is unable to present them to the Department for the purpose of supporting his/her application to evaluate the degree.

Link(s): Hebrew, English, Russian, Ukrainian

The Council for Higher Education (CHE)
There is no regulatory certificate verification process in Israel. To verify an academic degree certificate, one must contact the higher education institution that issued it.