Association for the Promotion of the Arab Education System in Haifa

GOALS
Advancing the association's holistic program to enhance Arab education in Haifa developing a parent-empowerment model that can be emulated in other Arab localities and in Jewish localities as well.

BACKGROUND
Founded in 2003, the Association for the Promotion of the Arab Educational System in Haifa is the outgrowth of an initiative by parents at one of the city's Arab primary schools who believed that the public system should be upgraded. Their efforts developed into a citywide Forum of Parents Committees, which was further enforced by social activists and educators.

STRATEGIES
Advocacy; raising awareness; leadership empowerment and development.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The association campaigned for more special education funds for the Arab sector in Haifa, lobbying the Knesset Education Committee, the Haifa Municipality, and the Ministry of Education. One result was a decision to set up a municipal treatment and support center, with implementation pending the outcome of a budget dispute with the municipality.
• A unique preschool emphasizing the arts was established, following which the organization drafted a plan to set up a school for the arts.
• A guidebook for parents on the educational system was published and in conjunction 3 workshops of 6 sessions each were held on various school topics.
• A 4-session workshop for parents of special-needs children was designed to raise their awareness both of their children’s needs and of their rights in the educational system.