Minister of Education Mohamed Abdel-Latif addressed the Senate on Monday, outlining the ministry’s strategy to enhance the country’s quality of education.

Abdel-Latif highlighted a series of critical measures and reforms taken to address “the deep-rooted challenges that have plagued the education system for over five decades. These efforts are part of a comprehensive strategy designed to enhance the quality of education and create a more conducive learning environment for students across the country,” Abdel-Latif said.

He said the changes were implemented through a meticulous process of analysis, collaboration, and resource allocation, ensuring that the solutions proposed are both practical and sustainable within the constraints of the current educational infrastructure.

Abdel-Latif noted that a strategy by the National Centre for Educational Research had been prepared and that more than 120 education experts analysed various aspects of the educational landscape to provide an accurate picture of the current state of schools. They conducted field visits to more than 160 public schools across educational stages in 20 governorates. “The visits provided invaluable insights into the real conditions on the ground, allowing the ministry to craft targeted solutions,” Abdel-Latif said.

He added that the ministry held several sessions in which more than 10,000 educational personnel, including teachers, school principals, directors of educational departments, and other key stakeholders participated. Accordingly, the ministry was able to gather a wealth of information and feedback that was crucial in shaping its reform strategy, he said.

Among the most pressing issues that the ministry sought to address was classroom overcrowding. Abdel-Latif said the ministry had managed to reduce the overload by 99 per cent, cutting down the number of students per class to less than 50, thus improving the learning environment for students. To accommodate the reduction, the ministry built close to 99,000 new classrooms across the country. The expansion is testimony to the ministry’s commitment to improve the educational experience for all students, Abdel-Latif told senators.

Another long-standing challenge the ministry has tackled is the severe shortage of teachers. For years, the educational sector was around 460,000 teachers short. Through strategic hiring and reallocation of resources, the ministry said 90 per cent of teacher positions had been filled, the minister said. “This significant improvement not only eased the burden on existing teachers but also allowed for a more effective distribution of educational resources, thereby benefiting students across all educational stages.”

Abdel-Latif noted that the reforms also extended to the structure of secondary education, streamlined to focus on providing a high-quality educational experience. “The goal is to ensure that students receive the best possible education in core subjects, enabling them to succeed academically. Also, teachers have been given the opportunity to dedicate more instructional hours to essential subjects, thereby improving the depth of learning and understanding among students.”

In addition to curriculum adjustments, Abdel-Latif announced a significant change regarding the teaching of foreign languages. The ministry decided to remove a second foreign language subject from the overall grading system so that students would have the chance to focus on mastering one single foreign language. “By increasing the number of hours dedicated to teaching a foreign language, the ministry aims to improve students’ proficiency, thereby enhancing their future opportunities in a globalised world. The change is expected to allow students to develop a stronger command of a foreign language, which is essential in today’s interconnected world,” Abdel-Latif added.

The ministry also took steps to make schools more engaging and attractive to students. According to Abdel-Latif, the ministry along with school staff, exerted much effort to create a more stimulating and welcoming school environment which in turn encourages students to attend classes regularly. As a result, attendance rose to 85 per cent from less than 50 per cent in many schools.

The ministry’s strategy also aims to expand the rollout of Egyptian-Japanese schools which have gained recognition for their successful educational model. These schools are known for their emphasis on holistic education, character development, and interactive learning. Abdel-Latif pointed out that expanding and improving these schools is a top priority as they serve as a model for modern educational practices that can be replicated across the country.

“The success of Egyptian-Japanese schools demonstrates the potential for innovative educational approaches in transforming the learning experience.”

* A version of this article appears in print in the 14 November, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly