Israeli Arab University Students' Perceptions Of Their Educational And Social Experience In Israel.

Abstract

This thesis explores the meaning of the educational and social experiences for Arab minority students in Israel, where school segregation between the Arab and Jewish school populations exists de facto from kindergarten through secondary school. The following questions are addressed: How do Israeli Arab university students perceive their educational and social experiences in Israel? What are the implications of the data for educational change in Israel? A phenomenological investigation was conducted. Six Arab university students were observed and interviewed in Israel over a period of six months. Data were analyzed qualitatively and central themes in the reported experiences of the participants were sought. Obtaining a higher education is seen by the participants as the proper way for them to achieve realization of their personal goals. Yet, diminishing the quality of their school-related experiences and dimming their hopes for the future are (1) the shared perception of being discriminated against socially and politically by Jewish-dominated Israeli society; and (2) the shared feeling of alienation from Jewish Israeli society. These perceptions result in the participants' (1) growing sense of being marginal members of Israeli society; (2) increasing consciousness of Arabness; and (3) withdrawal from contact with Jewish society. The Arab-Israeli conflict is likely to continue to impede any significant departure from the present educational status quo in Israel. This notwithstanding, efforts should be sustained to bring the Arab and Jewish school-age populations closer together.