Access to higher education for Palestinians in Israel
Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues
ISSN: 1753-7983
Article publication date: 23 August 2011
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to analyze the characteristics of higher education (HE) among Palestinian Arabs in Israel (PAI). It aims to indicate the main trends that have taken place in higher education since the establishment of the State of Israel, especially in the last decade, and to examine the main factors that have hindered access to higher education for this minority group.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on a meta‐analysis of official statistics and other official documents, and on an analysis of relevant recent research studies.
Findings
The analysis shows that although there has been an increase in the numbers and percentages of PAI studying in Israeli HE institutes, especially for women, structural blocks still hinder their access to Israeli HE institutes, a situation exacerbated by their deficient preparation in secondary school. Their disproportionate under‐representation in the HE system reflects policies relating to power distribution and control in Israeli society.
Social implications
Policy favoring re‐distribution of power alongside affirmative action legislation could influence the structure of the HE system and improve PAI minority representation in Israeli HE institutes.
Originality/value
The paper indicates the need for affirmative action to increase the Palestinian minority population's access to higher education in Israel.
Keywords
Citation
Arar, K. and Mustafa, M. (2011), "Access to higher education for Palestinians in Israel", Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 207-228. https://doi.org/10.1108/17537981111159975
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited