The number of first degree Galilean students for the year 2008 was 22 564 (see Table 1.6.). Increasing percentage of students - 8.5% or 14 300 students -study in the nine colleges in the Northern District. Five regional colleges that had been established during the 1960s and 1970s as non-academic institutions - one post-secondary polytechnic school, two teachers colleges, and an inner-city college in Nazareth - were upgraded to accredited academic institutions granting bachelors and masters degrees in a range of fields. In addition, there are teacher education colleges that operate under the auspices of the Ministry of Education.