Tracing Egyptian Education Policy in Changing Eras and Regimes: From 1954 to 2011

Abstract

This chapter takes a look at the evolution of Egypt’s educational system under different regimes that were in power during the years of 1954–2011. By analyzing the education policy under the regimes of Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar El Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak, the chapter aims to show how different ideologies have influenced the educational system and the larger goals of social development in the country. In particular, the chapter will highlight the “open door policy” of economic liberalization and the abolishment of the guaranteed government employment policy for graduates that was initiated by Anwar El Sadat and continued during the Mubarak’ era. This became one of the factors that led to growing resentment against state’s policy and fueled the revolution in 2011. The chapter will conclude that the historical context provides a lens to understand the complexity of how education systems are formed and reformed under various regimes and ideologies, and the ensuing consequences of social inequity. What remains to be seen is how educational policy will be shaped in post-revolution Egypt.

Citation

Afridi, M. and Berrwin, A. (2017), "Tracing Egyptian Education Policy in Changing Eras and Regimes: From 1954 to 2011", The Power of Resistance (Advances in Education in Diverse Communities, Vol. 12), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 59-76. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-358X20140000012005