Inter-Culturalismas A Key Factor In Assimilating The Efqm Model In Israeli Schools

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

The Israeli society is multicultural and consequently numerous inter-cultural issues in various contexts are involved in the Israeli education system. This paper focuses on the issue of inter-culturalism that constitutes a central and meaningful part of organizational change processes transpiring in schools. The northern district of the Ministry of Education is characterized by multiculturalism (Jewish, state-religious, Arab, Bedouin, Druze and Circassian sectors). As such, its motto has been nurturing quality and organizational excellence that will entail the organization growth and excellence. Hence, the district adopted the European model of quality and organizational excellence (E.F.Q.M). This facilitates implementation of organizational change processes designed to achieve constant improvement and enhancement of learners’ attainments and services provided to customers. The model was assimilated in schools from all sectors. These schools underwent a 2-year process, after which they were recognized as “committed to excellence” by the E.F.Q.M international organization. The E.F.Q.M model constitutes an “organizational umbrella” that adapts itself to each organization. It helps organizations to lead change processes according to their nature and specific needs, aiming to achieve excellence and constant improvement. In this paper I review the inter-cultural issues related to the assimilation of the model in the chosen schools. The paper is grounded in the concept that the inter-cultural environment involved in the E.F.Q.M assimilation affects the process and the extent of its success. Consequently, it is necessary to clarify the inter-cultural issues prior to the introduction of the model in order to guarantee an effective implementation in the assimilating schools.