PRESENT ABSENTEES: THE ARAB SCHOOL CURRICULUM IN ISRAEL AS A TOOL FOR DE-EDUCATING INDIGENOUS PALESTINIANS

Abstract

The Arab and Jewish school systems in Israel have separate curricula and both are determined by the Ministry of Education. This article argues that the Arab curriculum is designed to ‘de-educate’, or dispossess, indigenous Palestinians pupils of the knowledge of their own people and history. It gives them only carefully screened and censored exposure to their history, culture and identity; and suppresses any aspects that challenge or contradict the Zionist narrative and mission. Furthermore, the attempts of Palestinian educators to create a more balanced or inclusive curriculum have been largely excluded by the formal, state-approved curriculum. Yet, the Palestinian community must play a crucial role in remembering, discussing and retelling its own history.