Power and struggle for education in Libya : an insider’s perspective

Abstract

I am Libyan and a member of the academic staff at the Faculty of Education, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya. More recently I have moved from Al-Fateh University in Tripoli (West of Libya) to Omar Al-Mukhtar in Al-Beda (East of Libya) due to family commitments and a personal desire to be close to my beloved hometown Derna. In short I was fortunate to be born in the city of Derna and witness during the sixties and seventies how education inspired and transformed people all through the period of the monarchy as well as during the early stages of the present regime. Derna is a small city situated in north-eastern Libya. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, east of Benghazi. It lies on the eastern ridges of the Jabal al-Akhdar (Green Mountain) in the delta of the small Wadi River. The city of Derna is renowned not only for its old quarter and other nearby attractions, but also for its struggle against the present regime. Like all the eastern cities, Derna has stood firm against the aggression of Gaddafi throughout the last four decades. Now as I am writing this article, Derna along with all the nearby cities—including Al-Beda, Tobrak, Al-marj, and Benghazi—is marching towards freedom and is fighting a battle against the brutality of the present regime. In general people in Derna are generous, courteous and well-mannered. Without hesitation education is the cornerstone of this city and its people. Perhaps it is worth pointing out here that a great number of scholars, teachers, doctors, politicians, judges and university staff from the city of Derna have contributed significantly to the development of the country since Libya gained independence on 24th of December, 1951. In this sense, I am immensely proud of my roots. I grew up with four brothers and three sisters in a traditional and conservative home. My parents were illiterate but never ignorant nor lacking in wisdom. I was influenced greatly by my family and in particular by my eldest sister’s upbringing. From my earliest years my parents strove to instil in me the principles of Islam; respect for the elderly, kindness to the young, diligence in prayer, causing others no harm, treating others as you would want to be treated yourself, cheerfulness because it is considered a blessing to others to smile, as well as its being a blessing to protect others from harm, and never to tell lies or cheat.