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Legal and Public Initiatives in Egypt’s Education Reform: ESP Plan 2023-2027.

      The right to education is a fundamental basis for human rights. Education is recognized as an essential right, both at the international and national levels. In fact, the Egyptian Constitution, in Articles 19 to 25, consecrates several rights related to education, including Article 19, which explicitly states that "education is a right for every citizen." In particular, every child has the right to primary education. This principle is firmly established in the Egyptian Child Law, promulgated by Law no. 12 of 1996, in which the article 54 provides that "education is a right for all children and is offered free of charge in public schools." In addition to the legal provisions, an ESP (Education Sector Plan) was developed.


What is ESP?


ESP stands for Education Sector Plan this plan aims to “transform the Egyptian Education system in order to ensure universal access to high quality education and training, foundational learning for all and skills for the sustainable future” [1]

This aligns perfectly with the 2030 Egypt Vision which is a comprehensive national agenda launched in 2016, focusing on achieving sustainable development across all sectors of society. The goal of this strategic plan is to improve the quality of life for Egyptian citizens and drive long-term economic, social, and environmental development[2]


When was it developed?


The ESP 2023-2027 was developed during a significant moment for Egypt and the world, influenced by global turbulence, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and catalyzed by international events like the UN Transforming Education Summit and COP27 in 2022.


Policy priorities:


The ESP plan is structured around four major policy areas to address the challenges faced by the egyptian educational system, detailed as follows:

 

1) Access and participation:

The ESP program aims to improve participation rates across all levels of education by the following means:


●      Building and refurbishing schools:

Safe, climate proof schools will be established where they are most needed especially in frontier Governorates in order to improve physical availability of school infrastructure.


●      Teacher recruitment and deployment:

The Egyptian government plans to recruit 150,000 teachers in the next five years in order to remedy the shortage of teachers which is one of the most important challenges across education levels. However, lower levels of education, disadvantages areas and STEM subjects will be prioritised in the first years of education


●      Raising awareness on importance of education:

Awareness will be raised amongst community members to make education a priority. The main focus will be the education of children. The awareness efforts will also aim to reframe the image of technical education to convince people that it is a positive career choice, especially for girls.


●      Reducing financial and social barriers to education:

Financial support will be granted, those in need will be exempt from paying the school fees, school meals will also be granted as well as uniforms. This is in accordance with the seventh principle of the Universal Declaration of Children's Rights, as incorporated in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that "every child has the right to compulsory and free education, at least at the primary level."

 

 

2) Quality of Learning and Teaching


This plan aims to enhance the quality of learning and teaching, enabling students to develop their creative thinking and sense of responsibility. The following steps will be implemented:


●      Curriculum and Assessment Reform:

The Ministry of Education and Technical Education will continue its shift from memorization-based learning to activity-based learning, focusing on active student engagement. Learning assessments will also be improved in line with the newly revised curricula, in accordance with the Education 2.0 system.


●      Teacher Training and Development:

The professionalisation of teachers, school leaders, and administrative staff will be strengthened and developed. A better alignment of initial teacher training with the Education 2.0 and Technical Education 2.0 systems will be achieved through enhanced coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education. These efforts aim to improve teaching practices and learning outcomes.


●      Improvement of the Learning Environment:

The learning environment will be improved by reducing class sizes and the number of students per class. Additionally, advanced technologies will be integrated to foster innovation in teaching.


●      Greening Education:

The capacity of the education sector to withstand climate change and contribute to environmental sustainability will be enhanced. The Ministry of Education and Technical Education will incorporate climate studies into teacher training.

 

3) Equity and inclusion


The ESP’s policy aims to ensure equal access to education especially to the most disadvantaged children by:


●      Prioritising investment in the areas most in need such as rural areas by opening more schools and by equally deploying teachers.


●      Providing inclusive curriculum and school infrastructure. And there will be awareness campaigns aiming to integrate students with special needs.


●      Addressing the issue of private tutoring that is reducing access to education especially to those from low income families.


●      Empowering girls and women to continue their education in order to achieve gender equality in all areas.


4) Governance and Management


Egypt fully recognizes the critical importance of improving the governance and management of the education sector. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a reminder to strengthen the resilience of the educational system. The following are the key areas of intervention:


●      Teacher Management:

A comprehensive teacher policy will be developed and implemented, including recruitment, assignment, professional development, reward systems, compensation, and accountability. A digital teacher management system will be developed as a platform for continuous professional development, and this system will be integrated into the human resources management system.


●      Financing:

The Ministry of Education and Technical Education will continue its efforts to advocate for pre-university education and allocate sufficient funding for it, in accordance with the principle set forth in Article 19 of the Constitution. At the same time, equity and efficiency in public financing will be improved through:

  1. Expanding roles and responsibilities at the school and governorate levels in the planning and management of educational resources;

  2. Modernising financing mechanisms;

  3. Enhancing the use of financial data for planning and management purposes;

  4. Strengthening planning and budgeting capacities within the Ministry.


●      Data and Evidence:

During the period covered by the strategic education plan, the Ministry of Education and Technical Education will enhance education data management systems and establish an integrated data management system.


●      Partnerships:

Collaboration and coordination with development partners, the private sector, and civil society organisations will be strengthened to promote investment in education, with the aim of improving its quality and facilitating access.


Institutions that took part in developing and writing:


A wide range of contributors played a part in writing and developing the ESP. Each institution and stakeholder contributed unique expertise, resources, or data to create a comprehensive, high-quality plan aimed at improving education in Egypt.

  1. Government Institutions

    These are the Egyptian government bodies responsible for leading and supporting the development of the education plan. For example:

    • Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE)

    • Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED)

    • Cairo Demographic Center (CDC)


  2. Development Partners

    International organizations like UNICEF, World Bank, and UNESCO.


  3. Civil Society and Private Sector

    Organizations like Injaz, Elsewedy, and the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) represent the private sector and civil society’s involvement.


  4. Global Partnership for Education (GPE)

    An international initiative focused on improving education systems worldwide.


What Focus area does this ESP cover?


They represent the key aspects of the education system that need attention or reform to achieve the overall goals of improving education in Egypt.


1.    Pre-primary education: expand kindergarten provision, increase the availability of adequate classroom facilities, and improve the physical condition of existing kindergarten educational centers.


2.   Basic education: it aims to enhance foundational learning, ensure equitable access to primary and preparatory education, address dropout causes, and reduce disparities related to gender, disability, and geography, particularly for marginalized groups.


3.     Secondary education: the goals include expanding equitable access to general and technical education, implementing a competency-based curriculum, and providing sufficient schools, classrooms, and teachers for graduates of basic education.


4.   Community education: The ESP seeks to minimize early school leaving by addressing its causes, directing out-of-school children to appropriate learning pathways, and offering flexible educational opportunities.


5.     Adult literacy programs: Objectives include increasing funding and support for non-formal education, improving the quality and accessibility of literacy programs, and enhancing facilities and centers.


6.    Sector-wide governance and management: The plan emphasizes transparent, accountable governance, sustainable financing, and an efficient administration system to strengthen the education sector and enable mobility across subsectors.


7.     Digital transformation and innovation reforms: The ESP aims to integrate digital solutions into education, including high-speed internet, digital content, hybrid learning models, IT specialists, training, and enhanced teaching and administrative resources.


Contexts:


1.     Macroeconomic

The strained fiscal situation and high public debt limit the government’s ability to allocate sufficient funds to the education sector.


2.     Sociodemographic:

Egypt's population is notably young, with 54% under the age of 25. Egypt's education system must accommodate the increasing number of students and equip them with the skills needed for the evolving labor market.


3.     Security and climate contexts:

Geopolitical tensions and climate change in Egypt create economic pressures that often lead to cuts in public services, including education. The resulting financial strain can impact educational resources and infrastructure. Moreover, the effects of climate change highlight the importance of integrating environmental issues into the education system, preparing students for the challenges ahead.


4.     Social context:

Nearly 30% of Egyptians live in poverty, with higher rates in Upper Egypt. Despite progress in maternal and child health, inequalities persist, especially in poorer communities where children are at higher risk of malnutrition, stunting, and limited developmental opportunities. The rise in violence, including domestic abuse and online violence, exacerbates these issues, with harmful social norms and insufficient prevention mechanisms.


5.     Education Sector:

The ongoing reforms under "Education 2.0" aim to improve the quality, inclusivity, and relevance of education, aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030 and international commitments to ensure inclusive education for all.


6.     Education Achievements and challenges pas trends and current situations:

  • Access and Participation

According to CAPMAS 2017 statistics, 1.5 million children (7% of the 6-17 age group) are out of school, including both dropouts and those who never enrolled.

The education system faces increasing pressure due to a rapidly growing student population, compounded by a lack of sufficient classroom space.

Egypt’s Education 2.0 strategy aims to reduce the out-of-school percentage to 1%, with a focus on improving both physical and digital infrastructure, enhancing teaching quality, and using hybrid learning methods.


  • Quality and Relevance of Learning and Teaching

The education system is committed to aligning curricula and methods with global standards, emphasizing competency-based learning and student-centered teaching. The Education 2.0 initiative has driven improvements, including a significant rise in Egypt’s ranking on the Global Knowledge Index. A key focus of this reform is enhancing teacher professional development, with significant investments in training programs, including those for inclusive education and modern pedagogical techniques. Despite improvements, Egypt’s education system faces challenges, with 70% of students unable to read age-appropriate texts by age 10 and low performance in international assessments. Classroom disruptions, teacher absenteeism, and outdated methods hinder learning. Investment in teacher training and engaging education is essential for progress.


  • Student Learning Performance and Experience

Egypt's education system faces challenges that affect student learning performance and experience, such as overcrowded classrooms, shifted school schedules, and limited instructional time. Additionally, many students perform below international benchmarks, with poor reading and math results. Addressing these issues requires investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and foundational education reforms.


  • Teacher Recruitment, Pedagogies, Curriculum and Teacher Capacity

The quality of instruction is a key determinant of learning outcomes, and the Education 2.0 initiative in Egypt focuses on transforming teacher professional development. The Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE), has developed a Comprehensive Professional Development (CPD) framework for teachers to enhance their motivation, professionalism, and performance Teacher qualifications are also a concern, as many teachers lack formal pedagogical training, and the average salary remains low compared to international standards


  • External Efficiency/Relevance

The transition from education to work is weak, resulting in high unemployment and under-employment among the youth, especially women.

Young people with a basic or no education have the lowest unemployment rates (7-8%) and young people with a post-secondary education who are in the labor force have the highest rates of unemployment (28%). Completion of a secondary technical education does not appear to confer any advantage over having very little or no education.

 

7.     Equity and inclusion

Egypt has made significant strides to ensure equity and inclusion within its education system. Education reforms emphasize inclusivity, especially for marginalized populations, including persons with disabilities. The nation's Vision 2030 further advocates for improving access to education for diverse groups, ensuring that all students, regardless of background or ability, can participate in quality education.

Children from poorer households, particularly in rural areas, are less likely to attend kindergarten or continue their education at higher levels. These disparities are also reflected in dropout rates, with children from disadvantaged backgrounds more likely to leave school early, often due to financial constraints, early marriage, or child labor.

Further complicating access to education, particularly for migrants and refugees, is the limited availability of public education for non-Egyptian students. Students from other nationalities often attend non-Egyptian community schools, which do not offer accredited certificates, limiting their opportunities.


8.     Governance, System management, and finance

The Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE) in Egypt operates within a highly centralized system, with key responsibilities including policy making, curriculum development, teacher hiring, and reallocation. This centralized approach, combined with limited school autonomy and an outdated budgeting system, has led to inefficiencies within public schools. The lack of adequate funding and a high reliance on private tutoring and household contributions exacerbates the financial challenges facing the education system, particularly for families with children in public schools.


9.     Covide-19 and education

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to Egypt's education sector, particularly with the closure of schools in March 2020. In response, the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE) quickly adapted to the crisis, transforming the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) into a platform providing online lessons.

This digital transition was accelerated by the ongoing Education 2.0 reforms, allowing rapid access to educational resources.

 

10.  Greening education in Egypt

Egypt's hosting of COP27 in November 2022 highlighted the nation's commitment to addressing climate change, which poses significant challenges, including water scarcity and environmental degradation. Given these issues, it is vital to incorporate greening education into the system, focusing on climate-proofing schools and raising awareness. By equipping learners with green skills and knowledge, Egypt can foster a sustainable future, supported by the government's National Climate Change Strategy 2050, which aims to integrate climate change education into school curricula.

 

 


 

 

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