Chapter 6 - Barriers Impeding Access to Higher Education: The Effects of Government Education Policy for Disadvantaged Palestinian Arab and Jewish Citizens

Abstract

This chapter discusses Israeli policy concerning access to higher education (HE) and points out barriers impeding access for the Palestinian Arab minority and Jewish peripheral disadvantaged groups. Relying on meta-analysis of documents and other resources describing policies and trends in HE in Israel and their implications for underprivileged groups, the chapter attempts to answer the following questions: (i) How has Israeli government policy regarding access to HE for underprivileged groups, and in particular for the Palestinian Arab minority, changed since the establishment of the state? And (ii) what are the blocks encountered by peripheral and minority groups in their attempt to access HE in Israel? Findings show that despite increasing numbers and percentages of disadvantaged groups in Israeli HE (especially Palestinian Arab students) studying in HE institutions, structural blocks have continued to hinder their access to this important resource. This has led students from peripheral groups who encountered obstacles in entry to Israeli HE to seek new alternatives, such as studying abroad. This chapter contributes to an understanding of the process of development of Israeli policies concerning HE for disadvantaged populations. Its findings may have international significance since similar difficulties are encountered in access to HE among underprivileged or peripheral populations in other world states.