Egyptian writer and novelist Ibrahim Abdel Majid recently shared his personal experience on the transformation of education in Egypt during the eras of former presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar El-Sadat. This came as Egypt marked the 56th anniversary of Nasser's departure. Abdel Majid provided a historical testimony on the evolution of education, particularly focusing on the implementation of free education during Nasser's rule.
Abdel Majid began his educational journey at "Al-Qabari" school in September 1952, just weeks after the July Revolution. At that time, the tuition fees for primary school were set at one and a half pounds, with preparatory school fees at two and a half pounds and secondary school fees at three and a half pounds. These rates, determined by the pre-revolution government of the Wafd Party, remained in place for several years.
The writer highlighted that university tuition fees were a significant financial burden, amounting to 18 pounds. However, following Nasser's famous speech in 1961, education was declared free, with university fees reduced to four pounds. Abdel Majid also mentioned the "exemption for top performers" policy, where students scoring 75% or higher were exempt from half of the school fees.
During Nasser's era, schools across different levels offered various cultural and artistic activities, including cinema, theater, music, and literature clubs, as well as school trips and meals. Abdel Majid noted that the turning point in the education sector occurred with the introduction of private schools during Sadat's presidency, which were rare at the time.
The emergence of private schools was followed by the establishment of private universities, a trend that continued to grow. This development led to a decline in the quality of public education. Abdel Majid expressed that the leaders who succeeded Nasser adopted only his idea of a single leader, while destroying the achievements made in other sectors, including industry, education, and healthcare.
Abdel Majid emphasized that his statements are not merely opinions but are based on his personal experiences, which he documented in his book "What Lies Beyond Writing: My Experience with Creativity". The writer's testimony aims to settle the ongoing debate about the state of education during Nasser's rule and its subsequent transformation.
The author's account provides valuable insights into Egypt's education system during a significant period in the country's history. His reflections on the past can contribute to ongoing discussions about the future of education in Egypt.
Key points
- Ibrahim Abdel Majid shares his personal experience on education transformation in Egypt during Nasser and Sadat's eras.
- The implementation of free education during Nasser's rule had a significant impact on the education sector.
- The emergence of private schools and universities led to a decline in public education quality.