PALESTINIAN SOCIETY - Fafo

cally and, second, Palestinian families felt they could afford to send
their daughters to school.
The survey data also indicates that UNRWA refugees stay in
school somewhat longer than non-refugees (an average of 8.3 years
versus 7.8). Again Christians enjoy on average longereducations (9.7
years) than Muslims (7.9). There are also significant variations
between regions. In figure 5.5 refugee camps have been separated as
a dis tinet category .
Notably, if the older generation of camp refugees who have little
or no education are overlooked, the educational attainment of camp
refugees is as high as for Palestinians living in Arab Jerusalem. In fact,
other survey data suggests that West Bank camp refugees are more
likely than any other single group to have advanced education. Some
21 % of them have schooling beyond the secondary level compared to
only 9% of those who live in West Bank villages and 17% of the
residents of Arab Jerusalem. UNRWA refugees in general have a
significantly highereducational level than their non-refugee counterparts.
Some 45% have at least 10 years schooling compared to 36%
of other Palestinians.
On the other end of the spectrum, however, the survey data
indicates that among the younger age groups, there still exists a
significant percentage who are illiterate. In the West Bank, Gaza and
Arab Jerusalem, camps exc1uded, some 7% ofPalestinians between
20 and 29 years of age say they have had no schooling whatsoever. For
camp refugees in this age group the figure is 2%.
Figure 5.5 Years of education by region
Percenl
40
35
10-12
Il Gaza
[J Wesl Bank
O Arab Jerusalem
� Camps
13 or more
137