The Principle of State Guarantee of the Right to Education in Egypt during the Alawite and Republican Eras (1805–2016)

Abstract

This study examines the evolution of the principle of the Egyptian state's guarantee of the right to education from 1805 to 2016, focusing on two major historical periods: the Alawite era and the Republican era. The research aims to analyze the extent to which the state committed to providing education as a fundamental right and to explore the transformations in educational policies in relation to political, economic, and social changes. During the Alawite era, education emerged as part of a broader state modernization project. Initially, it was limited and elitist, serving specific administrative and military needs. Over time, it expanded gradually but remained relatively restricted in access and scope. In contrast, the Republican era witnessed significant expansion in education, particularly with the adoption of free education policies and constitutional recognition of education as a basic right. This led to increased enrollment rates, although challenges related to quality and efficiency persisted. The study also provides a comparative analysis between the two periods, highlighting both continuity and change in the state's educational philosophy. It demonstrates a shift from a limited patronage role to a broader guarantee of educational rights, while noting ongoing structural issues such as inequality in educational quality. The study concludes that although the Egyptian state's guarantee of the right to education has significantly evolved in terms of legal framework and accessibility, achieving full educational equity still requires further reforms and policy improvements.