Strategies for Enhancing Education Governance and Management in Egypt: International Organizations’ Perspectives

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Strategies for Enhancing Education Governance and Management in Egypt: International Organizations’ Perspectives Strategies for Enhancing Education Governance and Management in Egypt: International Organizations’ Perspectives by Ayman Rizk A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Ayman Rizk 2018 Strategies for Enhancing Education Governance and Management in Egypt: International Organizations’ Perspectives Ayman Rizk Doctor of Philosophy Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto 2018 Abstract With the aim of realizing a better understanding of the governance and management of the pre- university education sector in Egypt, this study explores perspectives of twelve officials working for international organizations. It presents genuine, authentic and valuable contributions and inputs from highly experienced and well-qualified professionals, fills a gap in the knowledge and provides perspectives that are difficult to obtain from official reports as there is a tendency in official reporting to avoid criticizing national contexts, national education sectors, their leaders and performance in a direct way. Utilizing the qualitative method and gathering its data from semi-structured interviews, the study identifies governance weaknesses that affect negatively the education sector and its performance and defines governance strengths that can be built on and maximized. The ultimate goal of this study is to reach applicable strategies that may be of assistance to the Egyptian Government and Ministry of Education to enhance education governance and management as an entry point to reform the whole pre-university sector and improve its performance. ii Acknowledgements Life is a continuous journey of learning and I strongly believe in the enormous power and impact of education on states, economies and humans. Education has no limits and it has no boundaries. It can make the difference and change that we would like to see in ourselves and in the world around us. In the beginning, I would like to thank all participants for their precious time, remarkable contributions, and their valuable experiences, views and opinions. Without their faithful and effective participation, I could not have completed this thesis. After reaching this point in my doctoral path, I would like to express my deep feelings of indebtedness and gratitude for Professors. James Ryan and Joseph Flessa for supporting my application to join OISE and for their continuous support during my program. I am deeply thankful for my supervisor, Professor. Nina Bascia. I cannot really find enough words to express my gratitude and indebtedness to her. Nina, I am really very impressed by your remarkable wisdom, genuine understanding, continuous support and encouragement to myself and all LHAE students despite your heavy academic, leadership and management responsibilities as the LHAE Chair. I am really very lucky with my thesis committee and I am deeply thankful and grateful to them. Thank you, Professors Carly Manion and Carol Campbell for all your unlimited support, precious contributions to this thesis, constructive feedback, insightful comments and valuable suggestions. I am also very grateful and indebted to Professor. Ruth Childs for all her support at the academic, professional and personal levels. Thank you, Ruth. iii I am and will always be indebted and grateful to my master’s degree supervisor, Dr. Khalil Mahshi, former Director General of UNESCO IIEP, Paris, who always encouraged me to move forward academically and professionally and had a strong impact on my professional, academic and personal life. Thank you, Khalil. May your soul rest in peace. I have to thank Professor Nadia Gamal El-Din, Department of Educational Foundations, Cairo University, Former Director of the National Center for Educational Research and Development; Professor Sami Nassar, Former Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for Education, Cairo University; and Professor Yousry El-Gamal, Former Minister of Education in Egypt for their continuous support and encouragement to get more education and move forward in my professional and academic path. I would like to thank all my colleagues and friends in the Egyptian Ministry of Education, the Minister’s Technical Office, Policies and Strategic Planning Unit (PSPU) and International Cooperation Unit for their continuous support and crucial assistance. Special thanks are due to Iman Yassin, Senior Education Specialist, International Cooperation Unit, for all her excellent facilitation and assistance. My deep thanks and appreciation are due to my father and my siblings who are always in my heart and mind; to all my faithful and supportive ones; and to everyone who has ever given me a hand or taught me a lesson. Finally, I would like to thank my mother who was among the top people I have ever known in her enthusiasm and belief in education and its power. She always wished and taught me to be in a better place tomorrow than I am today. Losing her during my program was the most painful experience I have ever had. May God have mercy upon her. iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ v List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... xv List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... xv List of Appendices ...................................................................................................................... xvii List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. xviii Chapter One: Background......................................................................................................... …..1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Historical Overview of the Education Sector ............................................................................ 2 Problem of the Study .................................................................................................................. 3 Aims of the Study ....................................................................................................................... 4 Why International Organizations? .............................................................................................. 5 Revealing the Unrevealed ....................................................................................................... 6 Powerful Organizations and Robust Influencers .................................................................... 7 Policy-Makers and Prescribers ............................................................................................... 8 Strong Capacity ....................................................................................................................... 9 Strong Presence in Egypt ...................................................................................................... 10 v Study Questions ........................................................................................................................ 12 Scope ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Professional and Academic Interests ........................................................................................ 14 Structure of the Study ............................................................................................................... 16 Chapter Two: Literature Review .................................................................................................. 19 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 19 I- Education Governance: Concept and Definitions ................................................................. 20 II- Education Governance in International Contexts ................................................................ 26 III- Education Governance and International Organizations .................................................... 34 IV- Education Governance in Egypt ......................................................................................... 37 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 41 Chapter Three: Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................ 43 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 43 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................................. 43 Leadership…………………………………………………………………..…………………46
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