HOW PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN EAST JERUSALEM BALANCE THEIR DUAL ROLES AS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISES, WITH A FOCUS ON FUNDING, TUITION POLICIES, AND EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL STANDARDS. IT INVESTIGATES THESE DYNAMICS WITHIN A POLITICALLY CONTESTED AND INSTITUTIONALLY FRAGMENTED ENVIRONMENT

Mohammad Adeeb Saraj

Abstract


This study aims to examine how private schools in East Jerusalem balance their role as educational institutions with an educational and social mission against their role as private entities striving for financial sustainability. The study is situated within a complex educational landscape shaped by political, economic, and social factors, where private schools have become an integral part of the education system amidst limited public resources and a growing demand for high-quality education. A qualitative approach was adopted, involving interviews with all educational stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, and parents, to identify challenges and examine policies regarding fees, funding, and educational standards. The study interpreted the behavior of educational institutions in East Jerusalem based on the vision of institution owners and their management of resources. The results indicate that school fees are the primary source of funding for private schools in Jerusalem, with limited reliance on external sources. Nevertheless, most private schools adopt a flexible policy regarding fees to ensure educational equity. The study revealed a range of challenges- most notably financial pressures, rising operational costs, a multiplicity of education oversight bodies, and disparities in curricula and educational standards- alongside political and administrative constraints affecting school operations while highlighting the ongoing effort to maintain educational quality and cultural identity. The study concludes that private schools in East Jerusalem do not operate based on a purely profit-driven logic; rather, they function according to a hybrid model that combines an educational mission, social responsibility, and financial sustainability. Consequently, striking a balance among these dimensions stands as the primary challenge determining their future and their role in the development of education.

Keywords


private schools, East Jerusalem, education privatization, education financing, financial sustainability, tuition fees, quality of education, educational standards, educational equity, stakeholders, cultural identity and neoliberalism

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v13i7.6867

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