Figure 1.--This Italian primary class in Tripoli (Libya) wasprobably taken during the late-1950s. We were a little surprised because we thought the Italians were repatriated after World War II. Apparently some remained. On the wall you can see the Italian flag and the map of Italy. The children was taught by nuns. The clothing is the same that was worn in many primary school in Italy -- black or white smocks with floppy bows. There was no rule about footwear. Put your cursor on the image ton see the rest of the class.
We have very little information about Libyn education at this time. As far as we know, Libya had no modern schools until Italy began to colonize the country (1911). Libya first fought a war with the Ottoman Empire (1911-12). A longer war with the Libyans followed which was not resolved until Mussolini launched a veery brutal campaign (1920s). Large numbers of Italian settlers migrated to Libya with government support as settlers. The first modern schools in Libya were built for these settlers. We are not sure to what extent Libya children also atended. Evebntually over 100,000 Italians settlers migrated to Libya, mostly in the larger cities along the coast. Libya was referred to as the "Fourth Shore". Italian plans called for eventually settling 500,000 Italians in Libya. The British occupied Libya after the Battle of El Alememaine (October 1942). This ended the Italian colonial period. We are less sure about the Italian colonists. We know, however, that there were Italians living in Libya as late as the 1960s. Many Italian settlers returned to Italy, but some remained in Libya after the War. The Italians were a big community with their schools. Col. Gaddafi staged a bloodless coup d'état against King Idris I (1969). He quickly expelled the remaining 20,000 Italian settlers (1970). We have no information at this time on the school system that Col. Gaddafi has developed.
Historical Libyan Schools
We have very little information about Libyn education at this time. There were presumabkyn schools during thevRoman era, but we know nothing about them. The Arabas conquerd Libya (7th century). As far as we know, there were no schools outside of mosque madraassa. The Ottoman Empire established adegree of contol (16th century). For the most part the area of the modern state was largey autonomous, although there was no nunufied state before the Italins seized control. We do not know if the Ottomans established any schools.
Libya had no modern schools until Italy seized Libya fron the Ottonmans and began to colonize the country (1911). Libya first fought a war with the Ottoman Empire (1911-12). A longer war with the Libyans followed which was not resolved until after World War I, Mussolini launched a very brutal passification campaign (1920s). Large numbers of Italian settlers migrated to Libya with government support as settlers. The first modern schools in Libya were built for these settlers. We are not sure to what extent Libya children also atended. Eventually over 100,000 Italians settlers migrated to Libya, mostly in the larger cities along the coast. Libya was referred to as the 'Fourth Shore'. Italian plans called for eventually settling 500,000 Italians in Libya. Schools were established for the Italian settlers. We do not bknow to what extent the Italians opened schools for Libyan children. We know there were some such schools esablished in the cities. How many and what portion of the Liyan populatiion had aceess to thgese schools or desired to attend them we do not know. They bwould have been taught in Italian rather than Arabic by Italian teachers. We suspect that many Libyan parents were not anxious to send their children, esoecually girls to these schools. The Italians ciontrolled KLibya for sone 30 years. We have no idea just to what extent they expanded the system or trained Libyan teachers.
Libyan Kingdom (1943-69)
The British occupied Libya after the Battle of El Alemine (October 1942). This ended the Italian colonial period. We are less sure about the Italian colonists. We know, however, that there were Italians living in Libya as late as the 1960s. Many Italian settlers returned to Italy, but some remained in Libya after the War. The Italians were a big community with their schools and organizations, especially in Tripoli. There were about about 35,000 Italians living in Libya as late as 1962. We can see an Italian school here, probanly in the late-1950s (figure 1).
Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya--GSPLA(1969- )
Col. Gaddafi staged a bloodless coup d'état against King Idris I (1969). He quickly expelled the remaining 20,000 Italian settlers (1970). We have no information at this time on the school system that Col. Gaddafi has developed.
Additional Information
Careful, clicking on these will exit you from the Boys' Historical Clothing web site, but several are highly recommended.
Boys' Preparatory Schools: A photographic book depicting life at British preparatory schools during the 1980s. Most of the schools are English or Scottish, but schools in Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ulster are also included. The pictures show the uniforms worn at many different schools.
