21st Century Skills Included in Arabic Language Textbooks for Higher Basic Education in Palestine

Abstract

The study aimed at identifying the skills of the twenty-first century included in the Arabic language textbooks for the upper basic stage in Palestine. The researcher used the descriptive analytical method. The study also used only one tool which took the form of content analysis questionnaire, developed by the researcher. It included 31 subskills that belong to seven basic skills. The Sample of the study consisted of the Arabic language textbooks of the ninth and tenth basic grades for the school year 2019/2020. The researcher used frequencies and percentages to analyze the data. The results of the study showed a low degree of inclusion of the 21st century skills in Arabic language textbooks. The findings of study demonstrated that skills of critical thinking and solving problems came at the top with a percentage of 22.2%, while productivity and accountability skills occupied the second place with the percentage 16.1%. Communication and interpersonal skills obtained the third place with 15.3%. Social skills and diverse cultures occupied the fourth place with 14.6%. The skills of information and technology obtained the fifth place with the percentage 14%. Moreover, the creativity and innovation skills received the sixth place with 9.6%. Finally, leadership and responsibility skills came the last with a percentage of 8.2%. The study recommended that the ministry of education should include 21st century skills in all the components of Arabic language textbooks for the upper basic stage.