Letter to the Editor

26 Gefen St 

Tel Aviv

58431

August 22, 2013

The Editor
Ha’aretz Daily Newspaper Ltd.
21 Salman Schocken St.

Tel Aviv 

61001

Dear Editor, 

I am writing in response to an article I just read called "Israel suspends standardized tests", which was posted in the weekend edition of your newspaper. The article was about The Ministry of Education's decision on cancelling the Meitzav tests. I fully agree with what you're saying in the article and think it's about time someone made that decision.   

As all of us, students, know what happens during the preparations for the Meitzav tests: all the schools in Israel hold their breathes, the teachers teach full speed and we collapse under the pressure of succeeding in the exams. 

Well, as someone who had to live through it for twelve years, let me say how relieved I am that my younger siblings won't have to go through what I did.

The adults reading this article and this letter are probably wondering why these tests are so stressful for their children. Well, I say it's more than just this one test – it's about the whole attitude towards education in this country, reflected in this test. Education in Israel has become about measuring different students with the same ineffective, stressful tool. All of us are different people with different skills and different points of view, so why evaluate us in the same way?  

Like the quote of the Minister of Finance, Yair Lapid, in your article said: "Education isn't about measurement, but about learning…knowledge and intellect shouldn't be graded". It's clear that The Meitzav tests are just another way to grade the students, not a way to improve the education system in Israel. In fact, they even cause unhealthy competition between schools in the race for the best results in the country.

To sum up, I want to give The Ministry of Education my support in their decision and hope for more changes in  favor of the students in the education system. 

Sincerely yours, 

Clara Gray  

Excellent!!!!
(100)
Dahna