The breakout play, which will be performed again on Sunday, was also attended by Minister for Sports and Youth Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Culture Nevine El-Kilani and Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel-Aal among others.

The initiative’s first play was made in collaboration with the Madrasetna educational media platform, which is part of the United Media Services conglomerate.

The play featured seven student talents who had been selected from 2,300 applicants from different Egyptian schools and trained in acting workshops by director Batool Araf.

The play, written by Medhat El-Adl, also featured a star-studded lineup including Yousra, Akram Hosni, Carol Samaha and El-Sharq Choir.

The play is constructed from beginning to end using special effects and holograms executed by Mahmoud Sabry, cinematographer and winner of the state prize for creativity for his work on the first Egyptian hologram.

The start of the initiative coincides with the start of the second term of the current school year and is open to all students in Egyptian schools.

Exact details of the initiative, including its budget and execution, have not been disclosed.

In his closing speech, Hegazy asserted the role of schools as a home for learning and knowledge whether related to a skill, spirit or information.

He also asserted the right of every student to practice sports, arts, culture and science.

The minister revealed that in light of presidential directives to discover and support the talented, a day in the school week will be dedicated to practicing student activities.

The minister added that the initiative will expand to accommodate other cultural and sporting activities.

He also dispelled the myth that the school theatre program is a new idea, rather it is an idea that has existed since 1936 but which had been neglected due to budget and space constraints.

“The theatre has been there all along; what the initiative aims for is to give it more attention through dedicating a school day on a weekly basis to practice artistic and cultural activities and a day for sporting activities.”

Lastly, the minister confirmed the importance of the role of people with special abilities and their involvement in all activities that the initiative provides.