Education Minister Naftali Bennett is working to increase the level of English being taught in the nation’s public schools beginning with the next school year. He plans to work towards having more high schoolers qualified to take the most advanced level of English matriculation exams, citing the need for increased proficiency in English.

Bennett explains this will permit more graduates to enter into higher education which demands at least 4 out of a possible 5 levels of English. He points out that at present, 41% of students fail to meet this minimum requirement and cannot attend university until they raise their level of English.

Last year Bennett placed an emphasis on mathematics and next year he is shifting to English, citing in addition to passing exams students need to achieve a higher level of spoken English. He plans to have more teachers and to offer scholarships for English education. He will also be taking other steps, including requesting from university heads to grant bonus points to level 5 English students as is currently done for the students with level 5 mathematics.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)