An introduction to Education

Studies 113
Lecture 17
 Historical background
 Known for its temples and pyramids
 Provides evidence of an advanced people who
developed various arts and sciences including
sculptures, astronomy, medicine and agriculture.
 In the 20th century people demanded drastic political
changes through the Arab springs.
 The history of Egypt illustrates how different forces
such as culture, politics, governance and globalisation
impact on the development of an education system.
 From ancient times to the twenty-
first century
 History dates back to 4000bc.
 Egyptology is the study of ancient Egypt which
focuses on the past and responsible for
preserving thousands of years of culture and
development.
 16th and 13th bc Egypt empire was established
which is characterised by flourishing arts and
culture (Egypt's golden age).
 …

 525bc : Persia conquered Egypt

 30bc : (until 30bc Ptolemies ruled) Cleopatra was
the last. Egypt then became a Roman empire
thereafter a Byzanite province. (Different leaders)
 641 – 1517: Muslim religious leaders ruled Egypt
thereafter the Turkey took over. Egypt then became
a Ottoman Empire.
 1789 -1801: French rule.
 1869: the completion of the Suez Canal attracted
British.
 1882: the British took over.
 …

 1914-1919: (1st world war) the British ruled

completely - taking over from the Ottomon.
Egypt became a British protectorate.
 1922 : became independent sovereign state with
king Fuád.
 1952 : army head took over and seized power.
 1965: Nasser became president.
 1970: Nasser died and Sadat took over.
 1981: Sadat assassinated and Mubarak took over.
 2011: Mubarak deposed during Arab spring.
 educational demands

 Presently involved in an internal process of

democratic reform.
 2011 : 100’s of student protestors marched
demanding immediate changes to the national
curriculum and adjustments to ministry policies.
Students demanded changes so that the future
children will not have the same problems they
did. The education system was criticised for not
encouraging critical thinking.
 Cont..
 On 1 march 2011 – demands for an increase in
teacher salaries and education budget were made,
provision for handicapped students, and to place
greater emphasise on artistic and civic education
so that students can know their rights and duty
towards their country.
 The Egyptian education system

 Population 83 million with a literacy rate of 72%.

 Most people come from rural areas with low
incomes.
 Government has limited resources and cannot
provide adequate education for all.
 Since 1990s government made great strides in
educational improvement. For instance, curricula
change, more schools built, disadvantaged people
initiated.
 Millennium education
 Showed signs of improvement.
 2001 – 2002 : budget R30 billion.
 2011-2012 : R78,3 billion.
 State responsible for funding for most education
systems (excluding private).
 Received aid from the World bank, UNICEF,
UNESCO and other countries.
 2000 : school enrolment INCREASED
 Primary school : 92, 62%
 Secondary school : 78, 59%
 Dual education system meaning state and
religious education.
 Religious education : sponsored by Al-Azhar
religious university.
 Private schools at all levels but they do not
constitute a separate system.
 5 phases of Egyptian education
 Pre-school education
 Primary education
 Preparatory education
 Secondary education
 Post secondary education (incl. Higher
education)
 3 types of private schools
 Ordinary private schools do not differ much from
government schools.
 Language schools follow most of the official
curriculum, but may offer extra languages such as
English, French and German. They are normally very
expensive.
 The Muslim brother, a Muslim reformist movement that
became a political party after the Arab Spring (2011),
sponsors some religious education. These schools
follow a different curriculum from Al-Azhar schools.
 Presently…
 Muslim brotherhood the 1st democratic elected
government.
 Present under military and democratic elections
to restore order.
 Arab spring revolution might see fundamental
changes however education system will not be
changed. Reformation in education will occur
through issues of curriculum and provision of
educational opportunities.
 Lack of funding is the major problem with
reform.
 During educational reform
 1990s reform occurred.
 1994 technology introduced for advanced pedagogy and
methods.
 1998 world bank foreign experts appointed to improve
education
 stages were planned till 2007
 State determines guidelines for the official curricula with
professional experts.
 The guidelines are then referred to the Supreme Council of Pre-
University Education.
 The provincial government are responsible for implementation.