Contextual and pedagogical considerations in teaching for forgiveness in the Arab world

Abstract

This study was conducted among Arab teachers in four countries in the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine) to examine their views and methods on teaching for forgiveness in their classrooms. A total of 87 teachers in K-12 classrooms participated in semi-structured interviews as part of a larger study on teaching for forgiveness in the region. Thematic analyses of interviews suggested that teachers created opportunities to model and teach forgiveness as part of their civics education curriculum. They also expressed eagerness for instructional guidance and curriculum materials to systematically teach forgiveness in schools. The strength of religion and historical religious figures as positive sources for teaching forgiveness was also evident. Findings highlight the need to integrate education for peace and forgiveness in the education system, especially as a result of recent political developments in the Middle East, and to provide methods to assist teachers to do so in their classrooms.

Keywords:

• forgiveness pedagogy
• teachers’ knowledge and skills
• Middle East
• school teachers

Notes

1. The authors use peace building as an umbrella term that includes several areas of studies such as peace education, conflict resolution and transformation and peace studies. Forgiveness and reconciliation are certainly integral parts of these areas.

2. Arab Human Development Report, data reflected for the years 2007 and 2008 (http://www.arab-hdr.org/data/indicators/2012-27.aspx).

3. The index included six criteria: Safety; Teachers’ professional development on improving teaching skills in the two years that preceded the survey; Teachers’ Working Conditions; Students’ learning methods; Learning resource; Parental involvement.

4. This was especially true in the case of Egypt, where teachers who refused to be audiotaped were provided with the written questions to write their responses to.

5. This area is still under Israeli occupation since 1967 and part of a proposed Palestinian state with Gaza.

6. Druze is a sect of Islam.