British Council, UNICEF Collaborate to Enhance English Curriculum for Egyptian Secondary Schools

The British Council and UNICEF Egypt have formalized a partnership to develop an English curriculum framework for higher secondary education in Egypt. 

The collaboration was solidified during a high-profile event in Cairo, organized by the British Council, which brought together prominent figures from the government, international organizations, and local stakeholders.

This initiative builds on the British Council's success in creating a thematic English curriculum for grades 7–12 and forms a key component of Egypt’s Education Reform 2.0. 

The goal is to design a curriculum framework that is evidence-based, contextually relevant, and aligned with international standards. This framework aims to enhance students' English proficiency while fostering essential 21st-century skills.

The British Council will lead the technical development of the curriculum, leveraging its extensive expertise in curriculum design and its ability to integrate life skills into educational frameworks.

Moreover, it will provide capacity-building sessions for personnel from Egypt’s Ministry of Education and Technical Education to ensure effective implementation.

Mark Howard, British Council Director in Egypt, stated, “We are delighted to partner with UNICEF to support the Ministry of Education’s reform strategy with an enhanced English curriculum. Over the past 90 years, we have worked to improve English proficiency in Egypt, empowering young people to access opportunities and build international connections. High-quality, inclusive teaching and assessment of English open doors to academic, career, and social opportunities, enabling Egyptian youth to actively participate in a global society.”

UNICEF Egypt will play a key role in overseeing and coordinating the development process. It will work closely with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to design an inclusive, gender-responsive, and digitally innovative curriculum. 

Both organizations are committed to a holistic approach, incorporating principles of gender inclusion, digital innovation, and environmental sustainability.

Nathalie Meyer, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Egypt, remarked, “UNICEF is proud to partner with the British Council on its 90th anniversary to develop an enhanced English curriculum for higher secondary education in Egypt. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to equipping students with the language proficiency and skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world, in alignment with the Ministry of Education’s reform vision.”

Dr. Akram Hassan, Assistant to the Minister and Director of the Central Administration for Curriculum Development, welcomed the collaboration, stating, “This partnership represents a significant step toward enhancing education quality and expanding learning opportunities for students. It is a pivotal initiative in achieving sustainable development goals within the education sector.”

This partnership marks a transformative step in improving education in Egypt, preparing students to thrive as global citizens equipped for modern challenges. The initiative also lays the groundwork for future projects, with ambitions to secure additional funding to further advance curriculum development.

The British Council is confident that its collaboration with UNICEF Egypt will have a lasting and meaningful impact on education, contributing to the broader goal of empowering Egyptian youth through high-quality, inclusive learning opportunities.