Extensive college engagement occurs through student community service and volunteer programmes, for example the Perach programme which engages students from all Israeli higher education institutions with children from disadvantaged socio-economic background in raising aspirations. The eight Perach programmes in operation in the Galilee involve approximately 1 000 higher education students. The authorities need to address these challenges in the periphery in a comprehensive way and mobilise appropriate levels of financial resources to support public education at all levels and for all population groups. Measureable targets should be set for higher education institutions regarding the enrolment and graduation rates of the minority groups. Institution-wide measures should be adopted to improve the retention rates of the first generation students. There is also a need to increase the outreach efforts of the higher education institutions and share good practices among themselves in a systematic manner.