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Egypt: inequality of opportunity in education

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  • Lire Ersado
  • Jérémie Gignoux

Abstract

The paper examines the levels and trends in access to education and educational outcomes across generations of Egyptian youth. Examination of four cohorts of individuals aged 25–29 shows that, although basic education has democratized, some inequities in access to general secondary and college education have persisted over the past 25 years. The analysis of test scores from TIMSS and national examinations in the late 2000s shows that more than a quarter of learning outcome inequality is attributable to circumstances beyond the control of a student, such as parental education, socioeconomic background, and birthplace. The high level of overall achievement inequality observed makes inequities in learning opportunities between Egyptian youth high compared to other countries in absolute levels. Moreover, learning gaps among pupils from different backgrounds appear at early grades. High and unequal levels of household expenditures in private tutoring and tracking into vocational and general secondary schools that depend on high stakes examination substantially contribute to unequal learning outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Lire Ersado & Jérémie Gignoux, 2017. "Egypt: inequality of opportunity in education," Middle East Development Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(1), pages 22-54, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rmdjxx:v:9:y:2017:i:1:p:22-54
    DOI: 10.1080/17938120.2017.1294826
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    1. Binzel, Christine, 2011. "Decline in Social Mobility: Unfulfilled Aspirations among Egypt's Educated Youth," IZA Discussion Papers 6139, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. repec:dau:papers:123456789/1552 is not listed on IDEAS
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    7. Filipe R. Campante & Davin Chor, 2012. "Why Was the Arab World Poised for Revolution? Schooling, Economic Opportunities, and the Arab Spring," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 26(2), pages 167-188, Spring.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sarmiento Espinel, Jaime Andrés & Silva Arias, Adriana Carolina & van Gameren, Edwin, 2019. "Evolution of the inequality of educational opportunities from secondary education to university," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 193-202.
    2. Reham Rizk & Ronia Hawash, 2020. "Education Gap and Youth: A Growing Challenge in the MENA Region," LIS Working papers 790, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.

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