Dr. Bilal Salameh, Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at Bethlehem University, and Jerusalem-based researcher Qusay Abbas have conducted a research study titled “The Social Imaginary of the Middle Class in Jerusalem Between the Challenges of a Curriculum Reduced to Bare Pedagogy and Social Mobility.”

The study explores the ongoing “Bare Pedagogy” of the Palestinian educational curriculum within the context of Jerusalem and examines how middle-class Palestinian families perceive education as both a tool for social reproduction and a pathway toward social mobility. Focusing on the unique political, cultural, and social realities of Jerusalem, the research highlights how families navigate complex educational choices while attempting to preserve identity, values, and future opportunities for their children.

Drawing on interviews and social analysis, the study sheds light on the role of private and Christian schools in shaping social aspirations, reinforcing cultural values, and creating educational environments that families associate with academic excellence, discipline, multilingualism, and social advancement. The research also discusses how educational institutions become spaces where questions of identity, belonging, and national consciousness intersect with broader socio-economic pressures and colonial realities.

In addition, the study examines how educational policies and curriculum transformations impact the Palestinian middle class in Jerusalem, particularly in light of increasing political and social pressures. It emphasizes that education in Jerusalem is not merely a pedagogical process, but also a social and cultural arena through which Palestinian families seek stability, dignity, and opportunities for future mobility.

This research contributes to expanding scholarly understanding of the lived realities and challenges facing the Palestinian middle class and knowledge production under restrictive and politically complex conditions. It also reflects Bethlehem University’s commitment to supporting critical social research that addresses contemporary Palestinian realities and contributes to broader academic and societal dialogue.