Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel-Latif met with over 370 teachers shortlisted to attend a six-month training programme to earn a diploma in educational leadership which will prepare them to manage schools.
The 373 teachers are the second batch of the presidential initiative “1,000 School Principals” aiming at empowering teachers with the needed managerial and educational skills to head schools.
“Candidates who complete the programme receive a diploma in educational leadership and national security, making them eligible to serve as school principals. The initiative reflects President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi’s directive to empower qualified young teachers as part of Egypt’s Vision 2030,” Abdel-Latif said.
The first batch, which included 350 teachers, was appointed at the end of 2023 after completing the required training. Ministry Spokesman Shadi Zalata said applications for the second batch started in January. Each educational directorate nominated 15 teachers, ensuring representation from all regions and a balanced gender ratio.
Applicants undergo a rigorous selection process, beginning with a personal interview at their educational directorate, followed by additional assessments, a one-week qualifying programme at the Ministry of Education, tests conducted by a relevant authority, and a six-month diploma programme, Zalata explained.
“Only candidates who successfully complete all steps become eligible to assume the role of school principal.”
Eligibility to apply for the diploma includes being between 35 and 40, currently holding the position of school deputy principal, having a strong performance evaluation over the past three years, and being free of disciplinary penalties. Candidates must also be physically, mentally, and medically fit, possess computer and Internet skills, and demonstrate familiarity with contemporary leadership trends.
According to Zalata, the ministry is responsible for 25 million male and female students in more than 60,000 schools and has two million teachers and 17,000 school principals, which requires increasing the number of qualified principals, he said.
“Applicants are expected to, have a vision for development, administrative tools, diverse cultural knowledge and the ability to meet the educational needs of their local communities while embodying positive values,” Zalata said, adding that the initiative is to be applied primarily to public schools and later, private schools.
Tamer Shawki, an educational expert, said the government was keen on appointing “competent and distinguished young individuals in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and its focus on empowering youth”. Shawki praised the fact that despite the challenges facing Egypt, “the state is keen on developing the educational process in all its aspects.”
Shawki noted that choosing potential applicants from governorates nationwide guarantees that all educational administrations are represented.
“School principals are the primary leaders within the educational institution. They possess management mechanisms by adhering to regulations and decisions that ensure discipline within schools. A strong and successful principal is one who enforces rules to achieve justice, discipline and order with firmness, thereby creating a stable educational environment within the school,” Shawki said.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 20 March, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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