The Role of the Kindergarten Teacher in Shaping the Next Generation: The Case of Arab Students in Higher Education Institutions in Israel.

Abstract

Kindergarten education is important in the development of children and could determine future success and failure. However, education in the Arab sector in Israel suffers from many challenges that could have devastating effects on the quality of education and academic achievement among kindergarten children. The study focused on kindergarten management in the Arab sector by assessing how empowering of the Arab kindergarten managers influence the academic success of the next generation in the Arab sector in Israel. This research utilized mixed methods that involved qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The study involved a total of 400 Arab students from in higher education institutions. Those who took part in the quantitative study were 400 while 50 were interviewed. The study showed that kindergarten management in the Arab sector should take into consideration the family-related factors, and sociocultural factors to ensure effective management of kindergartens. It was also noted that kindergartens in the Arab sector face the challenge of irrelevant official educational curriculum, poorly equipped teachers, inadequate infrastructure and government support.