The Netivim Program
The Netivim Program
Bachelor’s degree in educational – environmental leadership in the Negev
The Challenge
The Negev region is home to both Jewish and Bedouin populations, which rarely get to meet and delve into common issues. The “Netivim” program enables local educators to learn together, debate and experience a common issue of developing an environmental leadership aware of the physical, geographical and human dimensions it inhabits and in which it operates.
Project Description
In the 2017-8 school year, the Kaye Academic College of Education in Beer Sheba launched a new academic program, in collaboration with the Institute for Democratic Education.
The program is named “Netivim” and aimed at groundbreaking youths (ages 18-24) aspiring to become environmental leaders, geography teachers and promote educational initiatives within informal education. 42 young students (30 women) from Bedouin settlements in the Negev started their four years of studies in October 2017.
Students attest: “the Netivim program is special since we learn together using informal education methods,” “I used to study for the diploma, now I study for me.”
Program Characteristics
The program emphasizes training in democratic pedagogy: “greenhouses”, getting to know the various potential dialogues and democratic education thought. As part of the practical experience, which forms part of the academic studies, the students are integrated in social activities in community centers, local authorities and social organizations.
In Practice
The program’s main focus is a deep acquaintance with social-environmental issues in the Negev, while combining tours and experiential learning. Its students take a double-course track, with two majors: first, a major in informal education focused on teens and community. Second, a major in geography focused on human-cultural geography and location-based learning.