Figure 1.--This Italian primary class in Tripoli (Libya) was taken during the 1960s. 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 tonsee 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 and organizations, especially in Tripoli. There were about about 35,000 Italians living in Libya as late as 1962. 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. As far as we know,

Italian Colonial Schools (1911-42)

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. 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.

Libyan Kingdom (1943-69)

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 and organizations, especially in Tripoli. There were about about 35,000 Italians living in Libya as late as 1962.

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.

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.
• New Zealand Schools: Apertures Press e-Book on New Zealand schools available
• British Preparatory Schools: Volume I: New Apertures Press e-Book on British Preparatory schools available
• British Preparatory Schools: Volume II: Apertures Press e-Book on British preparatory schools now available

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Created: 3:19 AM 10/6/2008
Last updated: 3:19 AM 10/6/2008