In Libya, education without the Green Book

[tabatha]

TRIPOLI, Libya — On the first day of lectures since July, Tripoli University appeared a much-changed place last week. Gaudy “Free Libya” slogans were daubed on the walls, the red, black and green revolutionary flag fluttered from the angular architecture, and young women outnumbered men in the busy corridors.

“A lot of guys died at the front,” said Arwa Muntasser, an 18-year-old medical student in a bright hijab and Free Libya jewelry. “A lot of my classmates were killed in the revolution.”

Libya's interim leadership has chosen an electronics engineer from Tripoli as the country's new prime minister. Abdel-Rahim al-Keeb will appoint a new Cabinet in coming days. (Nov. 1)

Their absence is the bitter price paid for the sense of anticipation tangible among teachers and students here, a nervous hope that the new era will sweep away a culture of indoctrination and corruption fostered in schools and universities by former leader Moammar Gaddafi.

“We have 120,000 students and about 5,000 teaching staff, in a country of 6 million,” said Faisal Krekshi, Tripoli University’s new head. “This will tell you how vital this structure is. This place could be the nucleus of a rebuilt country.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-education-without-the-green-book/2011/11/17/gIQA87k8YN_story.html?wprss=rss_middle-east