The current education system in Egypt is far from perfect, but it has a better than average track record. Its teachers earn less than $460 per year, half the per capita income of Egypt. The quality of the educational system is also poor, and teachers often lack psychological background. Corporal punishment is common, and there have been several scandals, including the beating of a pre-K teacher, caught on video. Still, education in Egypt is generally regarded as a success story.
The Egyptian educational system is based on examinations, not thesis. Grading scales vary between institutions, but many use a numerical 0-100 scale. The U.S.-style A-F system is also widely used in Egypt. Higher institutes and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in various disciplines. Distance education has also begun to increase, but online learning is not yet widely accepted, particularly in rural areas. In addition, student-teacher ratios are still high, and schools have poor infrastructure.
Public education in Egypt is free and available to all. Students attend three levels - primary school, preparatory school, and secondary school. In government-run schools, all three levels of education are free. However, there is a significant educational gap between the rich and the poor. This gap, known as the wealth gap, is one of the main obstacles in the development of the country's education system. For this reason, it is vital that the country invest in improving its educational system.
The government has been working hard to reduce the fiscal deficit and has turned to private firms to invest in public institutions. Private funds are being invested in tertiary education in recent years. In August 2018, the government banned 1,200 illegal study centers that do not have state licenses. The culture minister also asked people to report illegal study centers that did not have state licenses. That will help the reform process, and will benefit millions of young Egyptians.
The quality of education is a major challenge in Egypt. In 2013, 58 percent of students studied in the technical secondary stream, while only 45 percent studied in the general secondary stream. In 2013 and 2014, only a few percent of upper-secondary students studied in private institutions. The country's government is implementing reforms to improve the quality of education, but challenges remain. Inevitably, the quality of education in Egypt will never be perfect.
In the 1960s, girls' enrollment rates in public schools in Egypt were higher than those for boys. Girls, however, remained under-enrolled in every level of education. The enrollment rate for boys in primary school was 75 percent. In Upper Egypt, the number of girls was even lower. In 1985-86, 94 percent of boys and 71 percent of females attended primary school. This gap widened as the country's population grew.
In addition to public education, Al Azhar schools, government-run religious schools, and private schools offer a more traditional education experience. While Al Azhar schools have similar curriculums to secular ones, they emphasize the Quran and Islamic values. In 2018, the number of Al-Azhar schools was 1.7 million, and the number of teachers was 170,000. While there is a lack of government funding, a private school is an option for those who cannot afford the public education system.
The education system in Egypt has a diverse and extensive educational system, serving 22 million students. Several initiatives have been introduced to improve the quality of education in the country. In 2007, the government pushed for the establishment of internal quality assurance centers in university faculties. In 2010, the government created the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Education, which accredits both universities and individual faculties and programs. A university has to have 60% accreditation to be considered fully accredited.
In 2007, the Industrial Training Council was established. Its aim was to improve coordination among various training entities, direct training projects, and policy-making processes. In addition, the Industrial Training Council was formed as part of the Global Technical Education Strategy. Its focus on technical education aims to address the labor shortage. In an annual survey, 31 percent of Egyptian firms cite labor skill as a major constraint for their business. By providing an effective educational system, the country hopes to attract more foreign investment and boost its international competitiveness.
Source : منهج الصف الرابع الابتدائي 2022 رياضيات
