OECD lauds high education rates among Israelis

Israel has one of the highest-educated populations of any country in the developed world, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's latest global education report, released on Tuesday.

The "Education at a Glance 2015" report found that 85% of Israelis aged 25-64 have completed upper secondary education, compared with the OECD average of 76%. And 49% of Israelis in that age group went on to tertiary education (universities or colleges), compared with the OECD average of 34% -- the second-highest rate of any OECD country.

Israel also had a low high school dropout rate of 14.6%, compared with the OECD average of 24.7%.

"Israel has the highest percentage of adults between the ages of 55-64 who have acquired tertiary education, almost twice the OECD average, and Israel is above the OECD average in its tertiary-educated population among every age group," the findings said.

The report said Israel was one of only a handful of countries to increase its investment in education even during the global financial crisis, devoting 6.5% of its gross domestic product to its education system. Nevertheless, "Israel still spends less per student for all services, across all education levels, than the OECD average," the report said.

However, teaching conditions in Israel were found to be lacking: Teachers in Israel work longer hours, in larger classes, for smaller wages than the OECD average.

The report also found that Israeli students are significantly weaker in mathematics, reading, and science compared to their OECD counterparts.

Israeli envoy to the OECD Carmel Shama-Hacohen, said, "This report is the Bible of education investment for the developed countries, and for Israel it's a glimpse of our future defense and security. Only an advanced education system will allow us to deal with the growing number of threats we face."