East Jerusalem Schools Begin Israeli Curriculum for 45,000 Palestinian Students

About 45,000 Palestinian students in East Jerusalem are set to study the Israeli curriculum from the start of the new school year on Tuesday. The change affects children entering Grade 1 and Grade 7 in 105 municipal schools run by Israel.

This is the first time since Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 that these students will be required to follow the Israeli curriculum. The move has raised concerns among parents, educators and critics who say schools should protect the city’s Palestinian identity and history.

Who will be affected?

The students make up about 38 percent of the 120,000 pupils studying in East Jerusalem schools. The affected schools serve Palestinian communities and operate under Israel’s municipal education system.

Students entering Grade 1 and Grade 7 will face the change first. These grades mark the start of primary and middle school stages. The decision means that many children will begin key years of their education with new books, subjects and lessons linked to the Israeli education system.

For parents, a school curriculum is more than a timetable. It can shape how children learn about history, language, geography and citizenship. That is why curriculum changes can spark strong feelings, especially in a city with a long and contested past.

Why did East Jerusalem use another curriculum?

Schools in East Jerusalem have long used the Jordanian curriculum. This dates back to Jordan’s rule over East Jerusalem and the West Bank from 1950 to 1967.

Israel tried to introduce its own curriculum soon after occupying the city in 1967. The attempt led to protests and school strikes. In the 1990s, after the Palestinian Authority was established, East Jerusalem schools began using a Palestinian curriculum.

The curriculum now used in many schools reflects that history. It also connects students with the education system followed in Palestinian areas. The new policy changes that system for a large group of pupils.

What critics say about the change

Critics say the Israeli government has encouraged schools to adopt its curriculum by offering more funding for education in Palestinian areas. They argue that financial support can place pressure on schools and families that need better buildings, supplies and services.

According to reports in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, this approach has been in place since 2018. Critics say the policy may make schools choose between keeping the Palestinian curriculum and receiving funds that could improve learning conditions.

Supporters of the Israeli curriculum may view a common system as a way to connect schools with Israel’s education network. However, the policy remains sensitive because East Jerusalem’s political status is disputed and education is closely tied to questions of identity.

Which schools are not included?

The change does not apply to every school in East Jerusalem. Private schools that teach European or American curricula are not affected. Recognised non-official schools in the city are also outside the new requirement.

Schools run by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank will continue to use a curriculum approved by the Palestinian Ministry of Education. This means students in nearby areas may continue to study under a different education system from students in municipal schools in East Jerusalem.

Why the decision matters

The policy affects far more than classroom lessons. It may influence which history students read, how they learn about the region and how they understand their place in the city. It also adds pressure to schools that must manage new rules while meeting the daily needs of thousands of children.

Parents and teachers will now watch how the change works in practice. They may ask which textbooks schools will use, how teachers will be trained and how students will adjust to the new course material. The first groups affected are children entering Grade 1 and Grade 7 at the start of the 2026 school year.