ABSTRACT
The ‘wind of change’ had also reached the educational world by 1952, the main advance since independence in 1923 being in the field of primary education, which had been so badly neglected during the British occupation. There was no expansion of government non-fee-paying elementary education until the Egyptian Constitution made it compulsory from six to twelve years, a declaration of intent not likely to be fully realized until half a century later. A variety of education schools for the training of teachers had been established, including a special institution for training rural teachers in what were considered appropriate skills for the sons of fellahin, but the point of entry was completion of a primary school education. The failure of previous governments to provide a good public educational system was regarded by educationists, economists and politicians alike as the main cause for Egypt’s backwardness.
