{"product_id":"educating-egypt-civic-values-and-ideological-struggles-9781649031020","title":"Educating Egypt: Civic Values and Ideological Struggles","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eThe purpose of formal education in Egypt was to socialize children and youth into adopting certain attitudes and behaviors conducive to the regimes in power. However, control by the state over education was never entirely hegemonic. Educating Egypt explores the everyday practices,policy ideas,and ideological and political battles over education from the era of nation-building to the age of digital disruption, highlighting that schooling and education are ongoing battlegrounds of interests, ideas, and visions of the good society. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 264 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 20 February 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: American University in Cairo Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom the 1952 revolution onward, a primary objective of formal education in Egypt was to socialize children and youth into adopting specific attitudes and behaviors that were conducive to the ruling regimes. The state's control over education was never absolute. National education faced increasing pressure due to a combination of the growing privatization of the education sector, the rise of political Islam, and rapidly evolving digital technologies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEducating Egypt explores the multifaceted practices, policy ideas, and ideological and political battles surrounding education in Egypt from the era of nation-building in the twentieth century to the age of global change and digital disruption in the twenty-first century. Its central theme is that schooling and education, broadly defined, have consistently reflected broader debates about what constitutes the ideal citizen and the educated person. Drawing on three decades of ethnographic research within Egyptian schools and among Egyptian youth, Linda Herrera examines what transpires when education actors hold fundamentally different ideas about the purpose, provision, and meaning of education. Her research reveals that, rather than serving as a unifying social force, education is, in reality, an ongoing battleground of interests, ideas, and visions of the good society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1952 revolution marked a significant turning point in Egypt's education system. Prior to this, education was primarily focused on religious and moral teachings, with little emphasis on secular knowledge. However, with the rise of Gamal Abdel Nasser and the establishment of the Free Officers Movement, a new vision for education emerged. The Free Officers aimed to modernize Egypt and create a new generation of educated and technologically skilled citizens who could contribute to the country's development.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo achieve this goal, the Free Officers implemented a series of educational reforms that aimed to expand access to education and improve the quality of education. They introduced a new curriculum that emphasized science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also established new schools and universities, including the prestigious Cairo University, to provide more opportunities for education.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHowever, the Free Officers' vision of education was not without its challenges. One of the main criticisms was that it was heavily influenced by Western ideals and values, which were seen as antithetical to Egyptian culture and tradition. Some critics argued that the emphasis on STEM subjects and Western-style education was at the expense of traditional Egyptian arts and sciences, which were important for preserving the country's cultural heritage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnother challenge was the growing privatization of the education sector. While the Free Officers aimed to expand access to education, they also allowed private companies and individuals to operate schools and universities. This led to a decline in the quality of education, as private operators were often more interested in profits than in providing quality education. Additionally, the privatization of education led to a concentration of wealth among a small elite, as access to education became increasingly expensive for the majority of Egyptians.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite these challenges, the Free Officers' educational reforms had a significant impact on Egypt's education system. The new curriculum and emphasis on STEM subjects helped to create a new generation of educated and technologically skilled citizens who could contribute to the country's development. The establishment of new schools and universities also provided more opportunities for education, particularly for women and marginalized communities.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHowever, the legacy of the Free Officers' education reforms is complex and multifaceted. While they aimed to modernize Egypt and create a new generation of educated citizens, they also faced criticism for their emphasis on Western ideals and values and for the growing privatization of the education sector. Today, Egypt's education system continues to face challenges, including a lack of funding, a declining quality of education, and a growing gap between rich and poor.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn recent years, Egypt has also faced significant political and social unrest, including the 2011 revolution and the ongoing conflict with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). These events have had a profound impact on Egypt's education system, as schools and universities have been closed, teachers and students have been displaced, and education has become a political tool for both the government and opposition groups.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite these challenges, there are also signs of hope and resilience in Egypt's education system. There has been a growing movement to promote education as a tool for social and economic development, and there have been efforts to improve the quality of education and expand access to education for marginalized communities. For example, the government has launched a number of initiatives to improve the quality of education, including the establishment of new schools and universities, the implementation of a new curriculum, and the training of teachers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdditionally, there have been efforts to promote education as a means of promoting social and political change. For example, there have been initiatives to promote gender equality and women's rights through education, as well as to promote peace and tolerance through education. These efforts are important for building a more inclusive and democratic society in Egypt, and for promoting the values of social justice and human rights.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, Educating Egypt provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the everyday practices, policy ideas, and ideological and political battles over education in Egypt from the era of nation-building in the twentieth century to the age of global change and digital disruption in the twenty-first century. The book explores the complex and multifaceted relationship between education, society, and politics, and highlights the ways in which education has been used as a tool for social and economic development, as well as for promoting social and political change. The book is a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and educators, and for anyone interested in understanding the complex and dynamic relationship between education, society, and politics in Egypt.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781649031020\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Linda Herrera","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44093724328186,"sku":"9781649031020","price":23.19,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1648208531561_book.jpg?v=1648323996","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/educating-egypt-civic-values-and-ideological-struggles-9781649031020","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}