Education as a Tool for Authoritarianism: A Study in Eritrea

Strategic Insights -

Research from the University of Leeds sheds light on the complex relationship between education and authoritarianism in Eritrea, a country under authoritarian rule for over two decades. The study explores how education is used as a means to maintain power and create a "false consciousness" among the population. The findings suggest that the Eritrean government politicizes the curriculum and militarizes secondary and higher education levels to ensure its survival. This research contributes to our understanding of the delicate balance between education and authoritarianism, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to this complex issue.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study examines the role of education in Eritrea's authoritarian regime, highlighting how education is used to maintain power and control the population.
  • The research suggests that the Eritrean government politicizes the curriculum and militarizes secondary and higher education levels to create a "false consciousness" among the population.
  • The study finds that education can be used as an authoritarian tool for regime survival, contradicting the common assumption that education reduces authoritarianism.
  • The research is based on a literature review due to the sensitivity of the topic in Eritrea, making it challenging to conduct an objective empirical study.
  • The Eritrean government's use of education as a means of control is characterized by the imposition of authoritarian attitudes through the curriculum, teaching methodology, and educational administration.
  • The study highlights the importance of understanding the hegemony and banking concept of education in relation to authoritarianism.
  • The research contributes to advancing knowledge on the nexus of authoritarianism and education, providing insights into the complex relationship between education and power.

Statistics:

  • The Eritrean government has been under authoritarian rule for over 25 years.
  • The study focuses on the politicization of the curriculum and militarization of education in Eritrea.
  • Education Sciences is the journal that has published the study, which is available online at DOI: 10.3390/educsci15070801.
  • The study's authors, Zeraslasie Redie Shiker and Samson Maekele Tsegay, are affiliated with the University of Leeds and the School of Geography.

Sources:

  • (Mis)Education in Authoritarian Regimes: The Case of Eritrea, Education Sciences, 2025, 15(7), 801.
  • Education Sciences, MDPI AG, http://www.mdpi.com/journal/education.
  • DOI: 10.3390/educsci15070801.