87% of Arabs Lack Digital Literacy-Study – Illinoisnewstoday.com

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June 30, 2021
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According to a new study by the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), 87% of Israel’s adult Arab population lacks basic digital capabilities. Only 13% of the Arabs of 25 to 64-year-old, remote work and learning, banking, fill out the form, active in online activities such as the use of online tools for online shopping, government ministries

According to a new study by the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), 87% of Israel’s adult Arab population lacks basic digital capabilities.

Only 13% of the Arabs of 25 to 64-year-old, remote work and learning, banking, fill out the form, active in online activities such as the use of online tools for online shopping, government ministries and agencies to be able to access to the public Found to have digital literacy to participate in. This is in stark contrast to 59% of Israel’s non-Orthodox Jewish population, where digital literacy was found.

The study, conducted by senior researchers Dr. Marian Tehoco and Dr. Hira Axelrod, is based on data from 2015. “But I don’t think we’ve seen any dramatic improvement since then,” said Tehoco.

“rear COVIDThe cost of this gap is increasing because there are many things that can only be done online, such as banking, shopping, and access to government services, “said Axelrod. “The size of the gap between Jews and Arabs is amazing.”

“The Future of the Israeli economy is in the technology, that the Arab population is far behind in the world, the big problem is for the country’s economic and social structure,” said Tehoko said. “Israel needs to take steps to help this community catch up.”

According to statistics quoted from the Central Statistics Office, only 36% of Arabs worked in technical or office positions in 2019. Another 19% were in various sales positions and the rest were in manual or unskilled work. In contrast, according to the cited data, 77 percent of Jews are working in technical positions or clerical staff in the same period, only 14 percent were working in jobs of unskilled workers.

The study found two main factors impeding the Arab population: low digital literacy and poor infrastructure.

Dr. Hira Axelrod (left) and Dr. Mariante Hoco (right)

“School and Employment Center because there was a need to communicate online, digital literacy is a problem that the low is now more apparent at the time of the pandemic,” Tehawkho says. “This was a very difficult task. For example, in the hiring center, but students because it was not able to teach the course of Hebrew in order to did not know how to use the zoom, there was a need to teach it first , I couldn’t teach because everything was in a remote location. “

With regard to infrastructure, about one-third of Israel’s Arabs is not connected to the Internet, speed and stability of connection to the Internet access is also on the attached location is very poor.

“It’s difficult to talk to PhD students about Zoom because the infrastructure is so poor,” says Tehawkho. “Even well-educated people are very difficult to work. Mobile internet is faster than broadband internet, but you can’t do everything on mobile.”

The report recommended that the government establish an online work and learning center in the Arab region to provide computer and internet services as a short-term measure to address the problem. In the long run, you will have to invest heavily in upgrading your Arab town’s internet infrastructure.

“Government must intervene in this area,” Tehawkho said. “It doesn’t make a profit Internet company To do this myself. “

With respect to online literacy, the report, employment centers and schools, students, parents, and experts have recommended to put much emphasis on teaching the essential digital skills that you need. Local governments also need to offer courses and workshops to encourage residents to learn more.

“In Tel Aviv, because everything is online, people will know that there is no need to go to the local government of the center in order to process most of the needs of citizens,” said Tehoko said. “Arab towns should also work towards this.”