Prior to the nineteenth century, the ulama and Coptic clergy controlled Egypt's orthodox education. The nation's most valuable institutes were theological seminaries, but most mosques and churches--even in villages--operated basic schools where boys could learn to read and write Arabic, to do simple arithmetic, and to memorize passages from the Quran or Bible. Muhammad Ali accomplished the system of modern secular education in the early nineteenth century to offer technically trained cadres for his civil administration and military. His grandson, Ismail, greatly expanded the system by creating a network of public schools at the primary, secondary, and higher levels. Ismail's wife set up the first school for girls in 1873. Between 1882 and 1922, when the nation was under British administration, state education did not expand. numerous private schools, including Egypt's first secular university, were accomplished. After direct British rule ended, Egypt adopted a new constitution that proclaimed the state's responsibility to ensure sufficient primary schools for all Egyptians. Nevertheless, education generally remained accessible only to the elite. At the time of the 1952 Revolution, fewer than 50 % of all primary-school-age children attended school, and the majority of the children who were listed were boys. Nearly 75 % of the population over ten years of age was illiterate. More than 90 % of the females in this age group were illiterate.

Historically, religious authorities provided basic education in local mosque schools. Higher Islamic studies became available at Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo. In 988 Al-Azhar University was accomplished. This is the oldest university in the world and the leading institution of Islamic higher education in the world today. Al-Azhar University operates a network of religious schools parallel to the state system.In the first half of the 19th century Egyptian viceroy Muhammad Ali accomplished state-run professional, technical, and foreign-language schools for boys. A network of state-run schools for boys was accomplished in 1867. The first state school for girls opened in 1873. Since 1923, primary and intermediate education has been free, and it is now compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 14. Public secondary and university education is also free but is not compulsory.