The History and Philosophy of the First Progressive Palestinian School in Late Ottoman Palestine: Khalil Sakakini and Al-Dusturiyyah School, 1909–1917

This article examines the story of a private Palestinian Arab school Al-Dusturiyyah that was established in Palestine during the end of Ottoman rule, in Jerusalem in 1909, by the influential educator Khalil Sakakini (al-Sakakini). My main argument is that this Arab national democratic school was ahead of its time and was a pioneer in terms of the educational principles and progressive educational philosophy that stood behind its establishment. Furthermore, I argue that it was a significant testimony to the awareness of some enlightened and progressive Palestinian educators to the weakness and failure of the Ottoman government schools in Palestine and to their vigorous efforts to establish an alternative modern Palestinian Arab Education. Very little has been written about this important and influential school. Hence the importance in writing this article as part of the serious effort made during the last few decades by Palestinian and non-Palestinian scholars to refute the malicious claim that in Palestine there was not a Palestinian people but a group of primitive divided people devoid of any culture or education.