You are competing against nations which adhere to standards. America tried your approach and today most American kids are illiterate, inarticulate and just plain dumb. Dumb kids make for a poor future.

This isn't "learning for the sake of learning", it's allowing teachers to teach whatever they feel like & create their own curriculum. This is dangerous - the state curriculum is there for a reason & needs to include more than math, science & English for a balanced education.

Lapid say he wants 'learning for learning's sake;. I understand that sentiment however we need some testing along the way to help kids see what they understand so far. Later tests are used to decide who gets into college and university. Who gets which jobs is decided on objective as well as subjective qualifications. However, Early testing should never be seen as having life determining' significance as e.g. the British 11 plus exam was often seen which decided at age 11 who went to a higher academic track schools and who went to lower academic track schools. While there was a second chance at 13 many kids did not know this or lost whatever motivation they may have had. Lapid mentions history and literature but from the article I understand that the Meitzav tests look at language, math and science skills which have to be tested at some point to help students see what they need to improve. The testing should be presented as a aid to understanding not just memorizing. Early testing should not be seen as 'make or break' events determining one's future but steps along the way to a fuller education. Also some people love learning and others do not, some will do well and others won't.

No exam? No risponsibility. Not by the teacher and not by the student. Lapid, you are a rare bird. Becoming a finance minister with only a BA especially one unrelated to to finance and economics, gives you the hutspah to shovel a whole generation of sudents to dumess. Don`t do it. Stay a rare bird.