Lifeworlds and Change in Palestinian Education

Book excerpt: This timely volume critically assesses the state of education in Palestine, re-framing the discourse on Israel-Palestine through the lens of education and arguing for a paradigm shift in the way education in the region is studied, managed and experienced. Foregrounding the voices, commentaries and reflections of Palestinians as well as touching on differing elements of educational experience that define Palestinian identities, the book highlights that educational change in Palestine is inseparable from the need to change the politics and understanding of education in western societies. Chapters introduce the holistic concept of the lifeworld curriculum which proposes the idea that education cannot be conceived solely in relation to physical, educational spaces but in addition should acknowledge the conceptual spaces of civil society, communities and the world of work (the basic structures of Palestinian lives) in order to reinforce the idea that circumstances teach. Ultimately challenging western educators to rethink their approaches to education and learning in order to build a stronger global platform for human rights, democratic engagement and justice, this book will be of value to scholars, researchers and postgraduate students in international and comparative education, multicultural education and educational change and reform more broadly.