Najib Aziz

A pioneering Egyptian educator who established the first secular schools for girls in the Middle East during the 1920s.

Najib Aziz (1898-1967) was a visionary Egyptian educator whose work transformed women's education in the Arab world. Born in Alexandria to a Coptic Christian family, he witnessed the limited educational opportunities available to girls in early 20th century Egypt. In 1923, he founded the Alexandria Girls' Academy, the first coeducational school in the Middle East offering science and mathematics alongside traditional subjects.

Aziz's 1927 publication Education for Modern Citizenship argued that girls' education was essential for national development, a radical idea at the time. His schools introduced progressive teaching methods like project-based learning and co-curricular activities, which became models for later educational reforms. By 1935, his network of schools had educated over 5,000 girls, many of whom became teachers and professionals.

In 1938, he established the Arab Education Foundation, which trained teachers from across the Middle East in modern pedagogy. His work influenced King Farouk's 1946 decree mandating primary education for girls, a policy later adopted by other Arab states. Aziz's 1952 book Building Arab Futures remains a foundational text in comparative education studies.

Despite opposition from conservative religious groups, Aziz's schools maintained enrollment through innovative partnerships with women's organizations. His approach emphasized critical thinking and civic responsibility, producing notable graduates like Egypt's first female engineer, Safia Zaghloul, and Palestinian author Ghada Karmi. His legacy is preserved in the Najib Aziz Institute, which continues promoting gender equality in education.

Modern scholars like Dr. Leila Ahmed credit Aziz with laying the groundwork for later feminist movements in the Arab world. His insistence on science education for girls directly contributed to Egypt's later leadership in STEM fields among developing nations. Though overshadowed by political figures of his era, his educational reforms had lasting impact on Arab societies' gender dynamics.