Education Ministry to Double Summer School Length and Launch Middle School Recovery Program

Education Minister Yoav Kisch announces a NIS 750 million plan to extend summer programs and add middle school catch-up classes following wartime closures.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 4:45 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

Addressing the Educational Deficit Following Nationwide Closures

The Education Ministry is moving to mitigate the severe academic disruption caused by the war with Iran, which shuttered the nation's school system for over a month starting on February 28. Under the new directive from Education Minister Yoav Kisch, the "Summer School" program—traditionally a three-week day camp for early elementary grades—will be doubled in duration to six weeks. According to Minister Kisch, the primary goal is to provide a stable and supportive framework for students who have faced five weeks of isolation and remote learning. The extension is specifically designed to address the "accumulated gaps" in the curriculum, ensuring that students do not enter the next academic year with significant learning deficiencies.

Expanding State-Subsidized Support to Older Elementary Grades

In a significant policy shift, the ministry is expanding the eligibility for subsidized summer programming beyond the typical kindergarten through third-grade bracket. For the 2026 summer season, the program will now include students through the sixth grade. This expansion recognizes that older elementary students were equally affected by the wartime closures and require social and educational continuity. The initiative aims to relieve parents who are returning to work as the Home Front Command lifts restrictions following the April 8 ceasefire. By providing a safe, supervised, and educational environment for an additional three weeks, the ministry hopes to stabilize the domestic routine for millions of Israeli families.

Launch of the Summer Preparatory Program for Middle Schools

A cornerstone of the 2026 recovery plan is the launch of the "Summer Preparatory Program" specifically tailored for middle school students. Unlike the elementary day-camp model, this initiative is strictly an academic catch-up framework intended to fill critical learning voids in core subjects such as mathematics, English, and science. Education experts have noted that middle school students are at a critical developmental juncture where five weeks of lost instruction can have long-term impacts on high school placement and matriculation preparedness. The ministry intends for this program to act as a bridge, offering intensive instruction to ensure students are ready for the increased rigors of the upcoming 2026-2027 acade...