Educational Reform in Egyptian Primary Schools Since the 1990s: A Study of the Political Values and Behavior of Sixth Grade Students

This study analyzes the degree to which the authoritarian political system in Egypt is able to implement a democratic educational system at the primary education level, which can work as a catalyst in a multifaceted democratization process. In general, Cairo private school students show a better expression of democratic the democratic values of equality and freedom of expression, than the urban and rural public school students. Students hold largely positive attitudes toward democratic values, save in the case of liberty, where children have been inculcated with faith in the authoritarian character. Cairo public school students have shown less egalitarian attitudes than both their private and rural counterparts. The right to freedom of association was accessible in all schools. The right to free and fair elections was present in all schools, except for the international private school of American City College. However, these two rights were only exercised superficially. Students could not specify or elaborate what they accomplish in their respective associations. Furthermore, class representatives who were elected by their colleagues did not have any duties toward their electorate and worked mainly for the school authorities.