Israel’s Ministry of Education has announced that it will suspend an annual examination, known as the Meitzav exams, in the upcoming year, in the light of a sharp disparity in academic performance between various sections of the population.
Although the 2012-2013 test results showed an overall academic improvement in schools, students from middle- and upper-class communities accounted for almost all of the higher scores.
Students from lower-income households showed a steep drop in achievement, and have been the subject of heated debate among lawmakers.
“Gaps in education are a threat to Israel, and the result of systematic policy,” said opposition leader Shelly Yachimovich.