Research: Civic studies lean left
Study submitted before Knesset's education committee claims civic studies taught in 'Leftist' manner, de-emphasize values of Jewish, democratic nation-state
Knesset Member Zevulun Orlev (Habayit Hayehudi) on Wednesday criticized the Ministry of Education and claimed that civic studies in schools are being taught in a "Leftist" manner.
Director General of the Ministry of Education Shimshon Shoshani said in response that a new curriculum for civic studies will be presented within three months.
Orlev, who spoke during a discussion at the Knesset's Education Committee, said his claims stem from a study conducted by The Institute for Zionist Strategies.
According to the research, conducted by Dr. Yitzhak Geiger, civic studies in the education system "do not support the idea of a nation-state or the idea of a Jewish nation-state in particular." Geiger further claimed that the current curriculum undermines the values of democracy, because it consists of less Zionism and mainly focuses on the concept of an equal civic society."
According to the study's findings, only a small number of questions on the matriculation exams deal with nationality and a Jewish nation state.
Textbooks read: 'Oslo- a step toward peace'
The study also showed that the exam mainly focused on issues related to liberal democracies, such as civic rights, while neglecting to mention other streams of democracy.
Professor Ruth Gavizon, one of the founders of The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, said during the discussion that "a balance must be reached between civil unification and a recognition of the many flavors of society.
"Some of the study materials must evenly characterize Israel as a Jewish democratic state, and this should be acknowledged and accepted by all sectors of society," Gabizon added.
Director-General of the Ministry of Education committee on civic studies, Professor Yedidia Shtern, seconded Shimshon Shoshani's proposal to construct a new study program.
During the discussion, participants also criticized the text books given to the students by the ministry. In one book, they claimed, the Oslo Accords are described as "another step toward peace among the nations," while another book notes that a nation-state model increases tensions among the country's citizens.
