Schools and pashas: Education in Egypt during the reigns of: ‘Abbâs I, Sa‘îd I, and Ismâ‘îl (1848–1879): A comparative perspective

Abstract

This study investigates the attempts of Europeanization of Egypt and its education system in the nineteenth century, specifically during the reigns of ‘Abbâs I, Sa‘id I, and Ismâ‘îl (1848–1879). A comparative methodology was employed to analyze the impact of these efforts on modernizing education in Egypt and the role of foreign debt and European powers in these efforts. The study demonstrates that Khedive Ismâ‘îl, rather than Muhammad Ali, was the founder of modern Egypt. The reason is that Egypt made more substantial progress in modernizing education than many countries in the same epoch. Additionally, the study evaluated the effect of the Suez Canal project on Egypt’s economy and society. Using a variety of primary documents, historical accounts, and scholarly literature, the study provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities of Egypt’s educational experience during this period. The findings of this study contribute to a more informed understanding of the country’s modern history, the impact of Europeanization on education in Egypt, and the relationship between political and economic conditions and the modernization of education. The study offers new insights into the multifaceted nature of education modernization in Egypt during the nineteenth century and emphasizes the importance of considering historical context and local factors in understanding the development of modern education in Egypt.