Blurb:

Chapter eight addresses the intricate landscape of Arabic education in Israeli Jewish schools, spanning historical shifts in its role, from integration to national security focus. It discusses the influence of universities on the curriculum, often prioritizing academic research over practical language skills. The Ministry of Education's policy changes, advocating for early Arabic teaching, are examined alongside challenges like the scarcity of qualified teachers and limited social interaction between Jewish and Arab students. The chapter highlights persistent issues, including student reluctance to learn Arabic and low numbers of Arabic examinees in matriculation exams, underscoring the need for an improved curriculum fostering comprehensive language and cultural proficiency.