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Most Egyptian children never went to school. Some children started school at the age of 5 and finished school at the age of 16 or 17. Children from wealthier families had more privileges than poorer children. Certain boys at the age of 13 or 14 were given special training to become a scribe. Scribes would tell their sons to be a scribe because it was the best job they could have. Student scribes took up to ten or eleven years to memorize the several hundred hieroglyphic signs. They also had lessons in math, astronomy, practical arts, games and sports. The teacher was very strict and the children studied hard. The Egyptian teachers had a saying " the ears of a boy is on the back." He listens only when he is beaten. The boys who did not become scribes usually followed in their father's footsteps and became farmers or carpenters. Girls stayed at home and learned music, dancing and how to run a home from their mothers. |