Israel’s Education Ministry released data today (Tuesday) showing a turnaround in the country’s education system, with a sharp rise in students earning advanced matriculation certificates in tech subjects. After several years of stagnation and even decline, 2025 is shaping up as a record year, with more than 15,000 students completing the demanding track that requires five-unit exams in math, English, and either physics or computer science.
The data shows the number of top-performing students doubled compared to 2015, with 11.6% of all students now qualifying for what’s called “tech matriculation.” Individual subjects also hit new highs: 17.1% of students earned five-unit matriculation in math, 48.5% in English, 11.9% in physics, and 8.9% in computer science. That’s a notable increase across all core science subjects in just one year.
One of the most encouraging findings is the expansion of excellence to peripheral towns in Israel’s geographic and social periphery. The local council of Katzrin led the country’s annual jump, surging from 3.3% to 25.4% in eligibility rates. Topping the national eligibility table is Givat Shmuel at 39.2%, followed by Meilya, Ramat Hasharon, Tel Mond, and Sakhnin—proof that excellence crosses sectors and geographic boundaries.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch praised the results and saw them as proof of the education system’s strength. “The data is clear proof of the power of Israel’s education system even in the most challenging years we’ve known,” the minister said. “In particularly complex years, the education system not only maintained stability but managed to expand the circle of excellence and bring more students to the highest achievements. This is the victory generation.”
The impressive achievement reflects a systemic trend of strengthening scientific-technological education, including opening hundreds of new classrooms and partnerships with industry. Eli Hurvitz, CEO of the Trump Foundation for Education, added: “This is good news for Israel. Another thousand graduates with five units in math means another thousand doctors, scientists, engineers, and security personnel who will help make Israel more secure. This reversal of the trend is an important development.”