A learning revolution
Much of Libya’s education system has glorified its late leader and his policies but reforms to the curriculum, will hopefully see a change in the mindset of its younger population.
PORTRAITS of toppled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi may no longer adorn the walls of Tripoli University but it is likely to be a long time before new values and higher standards become entrenched there.
The signature red, black and green of the 2011 revolt that put an end to 42 years of stifling dictatorship now decorate the varsity’s corridors. And inside the classrooms, things are also beginning to look a little different.
The curriculum no longer expounds on the slain dictator’s views on politics, the military and economics — which were outlined in his
Green Book manifesto. Although it may take many years to revamp the system completely, the culture is slowly shifting.
For starters, dissent is now tolerated and no longer lands people in jail.
“The main change is that we now have freedom of expression in the country and we can demonstrate,” says law student Nauroz Said.
Political Science professor Ahmed al-Atrash says the university now allows demonstrations, but it is also making efforts to promote the concepts of civilised expression and organised protest in order to avoid major disruptions.
“We don’t know the ABCs of democracy,” says al-Atrash, who tries to promote the idea of “civilised, democratic dialogue” in his classroom.
Such lessons matter greatly in a country where freedom of expression is virtually nonexistent. Finally unshackled, many Libyans — and that includes students, are clamouring to have their voices heard and demands met.
Small, unruly and sometimes armed rallies, are quite common in the city. And in the eastern city of Benghazi, which spearheaded last year’s uprising, mass demonstrations in favour of a national army and against armed groups of former rebels, often capture headlines around the world.
Mahmud Ramadan, a professor who was also a candidate in the country’s recent elections says that a stable government and a change in mentality were necessary if the higher education system is to be reformed.
“Some people think freedom means they can do anything ... (but) democracy has rules,” says Ramadan, recalling how the dean of his faculty resigned earlier this year after students revolted during an exam.
He says a major challenge the authorities have is in uprooting the culture of acquiring “easy passes” or easy certification where meritocracy is compromised. They also have to deal with the distribution of rewards such as scholarships and jobs that have for so long been given on the basis of personal connections or wasta in colloquial terms.
New bureaucracy
In the past, those who were close to Gaddafi’s old regime advanced more easily through the system, Ramadan says. Today, it is those who fought in the revolution who expect the scholarships and easy passes.
“Education is all about studying and getting the grades, one needs to have sufficient skills and knowledge before passing exams,” he adds.
The education authorities now say they want more scholarships and programmes Meatless meals: focused on language and computer training, skills necessary in a country where hopes of economic development are pinned on oil and the private sector.
With the new bureaucracy and 530,000 university students to accommodate, the deputy minister of higher education says his department has its work cut out.
“There are changes but they are not as fast as we would like them to,” said Fathi Akkari, adding that the first challenge his department will oversee is the return of the thousands of students whose education was disrupted during the conflict.
“We have many problems that we cannot sort out in one year,” he shares.
Professors are quick to point out that favouritism, cheating and underqualified staff were all prevalent in the old system and have warned that it could take an entire generation before such “vices” are finally stamped out.
But many students are already growing restless, and have complained that they are not receiving the education they deserve.
“They have mapped out steps (to improve education) but have to yet to act on them,” says Ziyad Belazi, a medical student.
Elham Fawzi, who is also studying medicine, adds: “The first thing we want is to change the laboratories and bring in the right teachers.”
Fawzi sees English, which is not on the syllabus under Gaddafi, as the key to getting a good job.
Without being proficient in the global language, Fawzi worries that she will end up unemployed.
“I didn’t study these last few years to sit at home,” she says, concerned about high jobless rates among young people in the North African nation.
Said agrees, adding that although there may be more room for Libya’s people to express their views, there is a dire need to change the system of education or the country will “remain stuck in its old routine”. —