[etni] Laurie's Survey

From: "David R. Herz" <drh16@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:51:19 +0200
Laurie wrote:
> For quite some time, I've been hearing from teachers, especially in 

> the Bedouin Sector, that many of the coursebook units are unsuitable 

> for their pupils. The topics are far from their lives and the kids 

> just don't connect and this leads to their disconnecting.

 

First I want to acknowledge Laurie for her work in and commitment to this
sector.  I don't think there are many of us who are as sensitive to the
differences and the nature of this community that it is also our obligation
to serve.

 

Second, I don't see why a survey.  The experience of certain teachers is
enough.  That teachers experience many of the course books as unsuitable is
going to affect the enthusiasm of those teachers for the material, and their
students' experience. By the way, the same concerns are expressed by many in
the religious sector.  However we may judge the limited world view held by
some teachers, if the materials get in the way of their teaching (or that is
their experience), I think we should take note and provide an alternative.

 

Third, I suggest anyone commenting on this topic go through any approved
book and change every Hebrew name and Israeli place to an Arab one, and
every western context to an oriental one.  Then tell me how appropriate the
text remains for your community.  What we speak of as general often comes
from a very western bent.

 

My question is "Are any of the textbooks appropriate for the experiences of
this constituency?"  Of course, I would go a level further and ask "Why
require text books at all?" and "Why must the ministry meddle so in the
professional judgment of the teachers, the approval of texts, and the choice
of materials?"  I would cap the level of review at questions of
seditiousness, and tendency to incite or intentionally mislead or distort.

 

Yours truly,

 

David R. Herz

Bet Rimon
[etni] Laurie's Survey

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