The Egyptian Educational System Alshimaa Nofal Arabic district Teacher Southern Lehigh High\Middle School

The government is responsible for offering free education at all levels. The educational system in Egypt is highly centralized. The Ministry of Education runs everything through local entities in each governrate (Educational administrative authority). These authorities do not have the right to make a decision of their own instead they follow the ministry’s decisions . In each neighborhood ( district ) there is an educational district for following up the educational process.

Promotional examinations are held at all levels . Standardized regional exams are held in grades 3, 6 and 9 at the basic education level . National exams are held in grades 11 and 12 in the secondary stage . The Ministry of Education is responsible for making decisions about the education system with the support of three Centers: The National Center of Curricula Development, The National Center for Education Research, and The National Center for Examinations and Educational Evaluation. Each center has its own focus.

The public education system in Egypt consists of three levels : The basic education stage for ages 4–14: -kindergarten for two years followed by - primary ( elementary)school for six years and -preparatory(middle) school for three years . The secondary (high) school stage is for three years,for ages 15 to 17: -Education is made compulsory for 9 academic years between the ages of 6 and 14. Pre-college \ vocational schools\ University. :

Teachers : The teachers are required to complete four years of pre-service courses at university to enter the teaching profession. Specifically with respect to teacher’s professional development to raise mathematics, science and technology teaching standards, the Professional Academy for Teachers offer several programs. Local teachers also take part in the international professional training programs.

Types of Schools 2-Private Schools -Low fees Private schools -Language Schools -Religious schools -International schools 1- Public schools -Arabic Schools -Experimental Schools

Public Schools: 1- Public schools -Arabic Schools Arabic Schools provide the governmental national curriculum in the Arabic Language. A governmental English language curriculum is taught starting at first Primary year and French is added as a second foreign language in Secondary Education. Experimental Language Schools, teach most of the government curriculum (Science, Mathematics and Computer) in English, and adds French as a second foreign language in Preparatory Education. An Advanced English language curriculum is provided in all Educational stages. Social Studies are taught in Arabic. Students are admitted into first grade at age seven; a year older than Arabic schools. 1- Public schools -Arabic Schools -Experimental Schools

Private Schools Low fees Private schools, their curriculum is quite similar to that of the government schools, but the private schools pay more attention to the students' personal needs and to the school facilities. Language schools, teach most of the government curriculum in English, and add French or German as a second foreign language. They are expected to be better than the other schools, because of the facilities available, but their fees are much higher. Some of these schools use French or German as their main language of instruction, but it may be difficult for the student to study in governmental universities in Arabic or English afterward. Religious Schools, are religiously oriented schools as Azhar schools or Catholic schools. International Schools, are private schools that follow another country's curriculum, like a British, American, or French system, and the degrees earned from them get official certification from the Ministry of Education, to be eligible to enroll in Egyptian universities, such schools offer even better facilities & activities than regular private schools with higher fees, but are criticized to be providing a much easier education level compared to the general curriculum, and some Egyptian universities require higher grades than those of regular schools students as a minimum for enrollment, or an extra high school certificate

Challenges Although significant progress has been made to enhance the educational system, still the quality of education experience is low and unequally distributed. Due to lack of good quality education at the basic and secondary levels, there has been a mushrooming market for private tutoring. Now to take private tuition has become more of an obligation than a remedial activity.