Majority of students think teachers aren't adequately preparing them for future, new study shows

Following several years of war, the study also found that 43% of students believe that security, cybersecurity, and intelligence studies should be added to the standard curriculum.

The vast majority of teenagers think teachers aren't preparing them for the future, while some faculty disagree, according to a new study presented at Jerusalem's first international education conference, "EduNation 2026," earlier this week.

While 87% of teenagers and 76% of parents believe the education system does not prepare students for the future, or prepares them only to a limited extent, about 43% of teaching staff are confident they are preparing students for the future.

Contrary to the common perception that teenagers are primarily focused on high-tech and technology-related fields, the study points to a much more practical and fundamental need.

Most students (75%) and even more parents (86%) believe that economics and financial literacy should be incorporated into the school curriculum. Following several years of war, the study also found that 43% of students believe that security, cybersecurity, and intelligence studies should be added to the standard curriculum.

Additionally, 60% of parents believe the curriculum should include technology studies, compared with only about 50% of students and 40% of teachers.

The finding reflects the teenagers' need to better understand the reality they live in and gain knowledge and tools to deal with emergencies and security challenges.

Regarding the rise of social media, more than 80% of teenagers and parents believe that teaching staff is not adequately addressing its real-life effects, including online shaming and the spread of fake news. Only 60% of faculty members agree with the view.

How will AI affect classrooms?

One of the study's central questions concerned the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into education and its potential impact on the teacher's role in the classroom.

Nearly 80% of students and 70% of parents believe that AI will replace a significant portion of teaching tasks. While teachers do recognize that there will be a shift in the way the education system is built, only 56% believe AI will replace a significant portion of teaching responsibilities.

The study also found that more than half of teenagers (57.2%) believe educational disparities between central Israel and the country's peripheral regions are negligible or nonexistent.

In contrast, approximately 60% of parents and 50% of teachers believe that significant disparities exist.

The study also examined relationships among different members of the educational community, revealing that more than 57% of teenagers believe students do not treat teachers with respect.

However, when it comes to how parents treat teaching staff, 51% of parents and 54% of teaching staff believe that the treatment is respectful.

The study also found differences regarding satisfaction with the education system, with over 66% of students dissatisfied with the system and some 57% of parents as well. Only 43% of teaching staff feel the same.

Adapting to needs of future generations

"The results of the study present us with an important and complex picture of the current situation, one that requires the entire system to listen, learn, and act," the Jerusalem Municipality stated. "The differences among the surveyed populations regarding the various issues provide an opportunity to challenge existing perceptions and examine together how education can be adapted to changing realities and the needs of the next generation."

"This is precisely why holding an international conference in Jerusalem, bringing together educators, researchers, and decision-makers from Israel and around the world, is so important."

"It is an opportunity to create meaningful dialogue, learn about new educational models, and develop ideas and solutions that will help us advance education that is relevant, inclusive, and fosters resilience, placing students at the center."

The survey was conducted by the Kantar polling institute. A total of 607 people participated, including 201 teenagers ages 14 to 17, 204 parents of students enrolled in the education system, and 202 teachers and school principals from across Israel. The reported sampling error margin was ±4.1%.