98,000 Classrooms Added to Ease Overcrowding in Egypt's Public Schools
The Ministry of Education's expansion plan reduced class sizes to under 50 students in 99.9% of public schools.
Jun 01, 2025
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has added 98,000 classrooms during the 2023/2024 academic year, significantly reducing class sizes in public schools across the country. According to the ministry, 99.9% of public school classrooms now host fewer than 50 students—a move aimed at addressing overcrowding and improving student attendance.
To support the expanded infrastructure, the ministry has taken steps to address the ongoing teacher shortage. These include offering financial incentives for increased teaching loads, rehiring retired teachers, and bringing on part-time instructors with relevant qualifications. The combined approach has led to a reported 33% rise in adequate teaching coverage.
The ministry is also introducing structural changes to secondary education through the Egyptian Baccalaureate System. The new system will replace the current 32-subject model with 6 to 8 core subjects, each taught for roughly 100 hours per academic year. The aim is to align Egypt's curriculum more closely with international standards.
Technical education is also set for expansion, with the Applied Technology Schools model expected to reach 90 institutions by the 2025/2026 academic year. These schools are being established in partnership with private sector actors and international partners from Germany, Italy, France, and Saudi Arabia, to help bridge the gap between education and labour market demands.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CairoScene
2 days ago
- CairoScene
98,000 Classrooms Added to Ease Overcrowding in Egypt's Public Schools
The Ministry of Education's expansion plan reduced class sizes to under 50 students in 99.9% of public schools. Jun 01, 2025 The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has added 98,000 classrooms during the 2023/2024 academic year, significantly reducing class sizes in public schools across the country. According to the ministry, 99.9% of public school classrooms now host fewer than 50 students—a move aimed at addressing overcrowding and improving student attendance. To support the expanded infrastructure, the ministry has taken steps to address the ongoing teacher shortage. These include offering financial incentives for increased teaching loads, rehiring retired teachers, and bringing on part-time instructors with relevant qualifications. The combined approach has led to a reported 33% rise in adequate teaching coverage. The ministry is also introducing structural changes to secondary education through the Egyptian Baccalaureate System. The new system will replace the current 32-subject model with 6 to 8 core subjects, each taught for roughly 100 hours per academic year. The aim is to align Egypt's curriculum more closely with international standards. Technical education is also set for expansion, with the Applied Technology Schools model expected to reach 90 institutions by the 2025/2026 academic year. These schools are being established in partnership with private sector actors and international partners from Germany, Italy, France, and Saudi Arabia, to help bridge the gap between education and labour market demands.
Daily News Egypt
18-05-2025
- Daily News Egypt
SAT testing returns to Egypt: US embassy announces June 2025 resumption, reopening global education opportunities
In a major boost for students in Egypt seeking international education, the US Embassy in Cairo has announced the reinstatement of SAT testing in the country beginning June 2025. The move follows successful negotiations between Egypt's Ministry of Education and the College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, ending a multi-year suspension that had restricted access to a key credential for studying abroad. The return of the SAT is expected to reinvigorate a critical pathway to higher education—especially for students aiming for admission to US universities and competitive international scholarship programs. The reintroduced exam will follow the digital SAT format, which has already been rolled out in more than 180 countries. The new version is shorter—two hours and fourteen minutes compared to the traditional three-hour paper test—yet maintains the exam's rigorous standards. It also features adaptive testing technology, which adjusts the difficulty of questions in real time based on a student's responses. In addition, results will now be delivered within days, significantly reducing the wait time and helping students meet tight application deadlines more efficiently. For many Egyptian students, the SAT's return eliminates a major barrier. During the suspension, students were forced to travel abroad to take the test or forgo applying to universities that required it—an option often out of reach for middle-income families. The SAT remains one of the most widely accepted standardized tests worldwide, recognized by all US colleges and universities and institutions in over 85 countries. The resumption marks not only a logistical improvement but also a renewed opportunity for students across Egypt to pursue higher education on a global stage.
CairoScene
15-05-2025
- CairoScene
SAT Exams to Resume in Egypt From June 2025 After College Board Deal
The Ministry of Education confirms SAT exams will return next year, helping students access global university admissions. May 15, 2025 The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has officially announced the return of SAT exams in Egypt starting in June 2025, following a renewed agreement with the US-based College Board. Previously suspended in Egypt in September 2020, the SAT's restoration comes after several years of absence due to exam security concerns, and is part of a broader effort to strengthen Egypt's alignment with international educational standards. The SAT serves as a key admissions requirement for many international universities, especially in the US and Canada. The ministry is working closely with the College Board to accredit trusted testing centres across Egypt to ensure exam integrity and prevent past issues such as leakage and fraud.
