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| ***Akram Al-Baghdadi***                                               |
|                                                                       |
| ***Gaza Educational Advisor***                                        |
|                                                                       |
| P.O. Box: 1247, Gaza City, Palestine                                  |
|                                                                       |
| Tel: (+970/972)-8-2824635, Fax: (+970/972)-8-2838126                  |
|                                                                       |
| Email: <abaghdadi@amideast.org>                                       |
| http:[www.amideast.org](http://www.amideast.org/)                     |
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PALESTINE: WEST BANK & GAZA STRIP

## ![](media/image1.png){width="1.875in" height="1.75in"}Country profile: 

The West Bank and Gaza Strip total only 1,000 sq km (smaller than the
State of Delaware). The division of the former British mandate of
Palestine and the creation of the state of Israel in the years after the
end of World War II have been at the heart of Middle Eastern conflicts
for the past half century. Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank,
including East Jerusalem, have lived under Israeli occupation since
1967. In 1979, Egypt and Israel signed a peace agreement, but it wasn\'t
until the early 1990s, after years of an uprising known as the
*Intifada* (in English, "shaking off"), that a peace process began
between Israel and the Palestinians. Despite the hand-over of parts of
the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to Palestinian control, a \"final
status\" agreement has yet to be reached. The main stumbling blocks
include the status of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees and
Jewish settlements.

## [People & Economy]{.underline}

The total population is 3.5 million: 2.1 million in the West Bank
(including East Jerusalem) and 1.4 million in the Gaza Strip. Almost 1.5
million are refugees and over 800,000 live in 27 refugee camps scattered
through the country. Palestinians are Arabs, mostly Sunni Muslim,
although there are significant Christian communities of Orthodox and
Catholics. The vast majority of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip, whether refugees or not, are stateless. More than half are age 15
or younger; the country has the highest birth rate in the region. The
Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The
Palestinian economy has been devastated by the violence of recent years.
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 66.5% of
Palestinian households were estimated to be living below the poverty
line, rising to 84.6% in Gaza. Adjusted unemployment averages 50%.

[**Facts & Statistics**]{.underline}

-   **Population:** 3.5 million (UN, 2003 estimate)

-   **Intended seat of government:** East Jerusalem (current seat of
    government is Ramallah)

-   **Major language:** Arabic

-   **Major religion:** Islam (though there is a small Christian
    minority as well)

-   **Life expectancy:** 71 years (men), 74 years (women) (UN)

-   **Monetary unit:** 1 Jordan dinar = 1,000 fils, 1 new Israeli shekel
    (NIS) = 100 new agorot

-   **Internet domain:** .ps

-   **International dialing code:** +972 / +970

**Education System in Palestine**

Education is the largest public service sector within the Palestinian
Authority. Educational services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are
provided by the public (Palestinian Authority, UNRWA), private, and NGO
sectors. The latter two dominate the pre-school and tertiary levels
while basic and secondary education is public. The Palestinian school
system offers two streams (literary and scientific) for primary and
secondary grades. After the 9th school year, students must choose a
stream to complete the required 12 years of schooling, which end with
the *Tawjihi* matriculation exam; passing is a condition for university
or college enrollment. Schools are overcrowded, with some 25% operating
on more than one shift.

**INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS**

**Types of higher education institutions:**

-   University

-   Community College

-   Technical College

-   Open University

**School leaving and higher education credentials:**

-   Tawjihi

-   Diploma

-   Associate Degree

-   Bachelor\'s Degree

-   Postgraduate Diploma

-   Master\'s Degree

-   Doctorate

**STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM**

**Structure of school system:**

**a. Basic**

Type of school providing this education: Basic School

Length of program in years: 10

Age level from: 6 to: 16

Certificate/diploma awarded: None

**b. Secondary**

Type of school providing this education: Secondary School

Length of program in years: 2

Age level from: 16 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Tawjihi (academic)

**c. Vocational**

Type of school providing this education: Technical Secondary School

Length of program in years: 2

Age level from: 16 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Tawjihi (vocational)

**School education:**

Basic education lasts for ten years. Secondary education lasts for two
years. In grade 11, pupils are placed either in the Arts or the Science
tracks, depending on their performance in the previous year. Upon
completion of grade 12, pupils sit for the examinations for the Tawjihi.
In addition to general academic education, two-year vocational/technical
courses are available at a number of schools in Agriculture, Commerce
and Industry. Courses lead to the Vocational Tawjihi.

**Higher education:**

Higher education is mainly provided by universities and community
colleges. All Universities have their own administrative organization
with a President, a Vice-President, and a Board of Trustees. Colleges
are headed by a Dean and Administrative Councils at the department,
college and university levels. The Ministry of Education and Higher
Education is the national organization which supervises and coordinates
the activities of the institutions of higher education within the
framework of national policies.

**Academic year:**

Classes from: The academic year starts in September 1^st^ and ends in
May 30^th^.

Long vacation from: 30 Jun to 31 Aug

Languages of instruction: Arabic, English

**Non-university level:**

Higher technical and vocational education is mainly offered in community
colleges. These colleges offer two-year courses leading to various
technical/vocational diplomas after the completion of 70 credit hours.

**University level studies:**

***University level first stage:*** Bachelor\'s degree. The Bachelor\'s
degree is generally conferred after four years study by universities and
some University Colleges. Engineering and Agricultural studies last for
five years.

***University level second stage:*** Master\'s degree, Postgraduate
diploma. Master\'s degrees are conferred in certain subjects after two
years beyond the Bachelor\'s degree. Postgraduate diplomas are conferred
in certain subjects after one or two years\' study beyond the
Bachelor\'s degree without research training.

***University level third stage:*** Doctorate (PhD). An-Najah National
University awards a PhD in certain subjects (e.g. Chemistry) after three
years of study beyond the Master\'s degree.

**Non-traditional studies: Open higher education**

Open education is offered at Al-Quds Open University, which is comprised
of 15 regional centers. Al-Quds Open University offers Undergraduate
degrees and Continuing Education and Training are offered in Land and
Rural Development, Home and Family Development, Technology and Applied
Science, Management and Education.

**Ministry of Higher Education Web Site:
<http://www.mohe.gov.ps/ENG/index.html>**