Insights from Principals: How is Palestine Addressed in Islamic schools?

A Research-Based Approach to Creating the Teaching Palestine Toolkit

What can we learn from principals on how Palestine is addressed in Islamic schools?

In this update on ISLA’s Teaching Palestine Toolkit, we report on our in-depth interviews conducted with 21 U.S. school principals to gain insights into the challenges, opportunities, and emerging trends that educators face when addressing this topic.

This report also offers practical strategies that can help educators enrich students’ learning experiences and inspire meaningful dialogue. In addition, it informs us at ISLA on creating the Teaching Palestine Toolkit in a manner that will be useful, relevant and meaningful.

Discover what Islamic school principals have to say about teaching Palestine and walk away with educational approaches that can help us all strive for a more just world.

Introduction:

At the Islamic Schools League of America (ISLA), we understand the importance of a comprehensive educational toolkit that enhances the teaching and learning experiences surrounding Palestine’s rich history and contemporary issues.

To ensure the toolkit addresses the varied needs of diverse classrooms, we conducted in-depth interviews with 21 school principals from across the United States. These conversations provided valuable insights into current educational practices, revealing key potentials, prevailing sentiments, and challenges in teaching about Palestine. This report synthesizes these findings, offering a well-rounded perspective on the opportunities and gaps faced by educators in this important area.

Methodology:

To gather in-depth feedback on current practices, challenges, and needs related to teaching about Palestine, we conducted online and in-person interviews during school visits to ensure a comprehensive understanding of various educational contexts. The discussions were structured around key guiding questions, including:

1. Current Curriculum: What materials and resources are currently used in your school to teach about Palestine? How are these integrated into the curriculum?

2. Perceived Gaps and Challenges: What are the most significant challenges or gaps in teaching about Palestine in your school? Where is additional support needed?

3. Understanding Student Engagement: How do students at your school respond to lessons about Palestine? What aspects do they find engaging or challenging?

4. Key Factors Consideration: What should be considered in developing the toolkit?

5. Effective Strategies: What strategies are effective in achieving educational goals?

6. Potential Challenges: What challenges might the project face?

7. Helpful Resources: Are there any particularly helpful resources or contacts?

Key Findings and Implications

So, what did the principals have to say about addressing Palestine in their schools? You can read the key findings and implications in our report, accessible here.