The Neoliberal Education Project and the Rise of Revolution: Lessons from the Youth of Egypt

While the January 25th, 2011 Revolution and the Egyptian struggle for democracy seemingly took the world by surprise, it is the culmination of two decades of resistance to neoliberal economic policies that have championed the privatization of public services and the reallocation of public resources and capital into the hands of the Egyptian neoliberal elite. As a result of International Monetary Fund (IMF) mandated structural adjustment programs and the forced decentralization of the public sector, it has become increasingly difficult for the majority of Egyptians to gain access to a living wage and public services, in particular, a quality education. This article situates the privatization of P-20 education in Egypt within the larger context of the global, neoliberal education agenda. Challenging the neoliberal agenda in education, the author highlights the January 25th, 2011 Revolution, and the revolutionary spirit of Egyptian youth to reveal the critical democratic possibilities that exist despite the decline of public space.