Half the Children in Israel are Receiving a Third-world Education
Philanthropy focused on rebuilding Israeli society must start with education. Economist Prof. Dan Ben-David warns that roughly half of Israel’s children are receiving what he calls a “third-world education,” particularly in core subjects such as math and English, and that these children belong to th
e country’s fastest-growing population groups. Without urgent change, he argues, Israel will not be able to sustain a first-world economy, health system, or army, turning an educational crisis into an existential threat.
Ben-David calls for a comprehensive overhaul of Israel’s education system rather than another partial reform. This includes a strengthened core curriculum, mandatory for all children regardless of sector, and deep changes in how teachers are selected, trained, and compensated. In his view, no community should be allowed to deny its children the basic tools of the modern world, especially high-level literacy, English, and mathematics, which open doors to science, technology, and adaptable careers in a rapidly changing global economy.
For philanthropic partners, the implication is clear: investments that do not confront this educational gap risk treating symptoms instead of causes. Directing resources toward networks and schools that commit to robust core studies, high standards in math and English, and serious teacher development is essential for Israel’s long-term resilience. In this sense, education is not just another philanthropic “field” but
the infrastructure on which Israel’s future society, economy, and security all depend.
Amal Educational Network offers a concrete model of this approach, combining democratic civic education rooted in the humanities with advanced scientific and technological learning anchored in strong math and English. By promoting both social cohesion and future-ready skills across Israel’s diverse communities, Amal demonstrates how philanthropy can help turn Ben-David’s warning into a call to action, and how, if many networks and schools follow this pathway, Israel can rebuild itself through an education system that truly prepares all its children for the challenges ahead.