MP Aboul Enein Calls for Raising Salaries of Teachers in Private Schools

On Sunday, MP Mohammad Aboul Enein, stressed the necessity of raising salaries of teachers in private schools, adding that they receive very low wages that do not even reach the minimum wage limit set by the Egyptian state.

During his word at the parliament's plenary session, Aboul Enein indicated that Egypt has more than 9,000 private schools, while their teachers' salaries still don't exceed 700 or 800 Egyptian pounds.

He added that Egypt is witnessing a great interest in education more than ever before, continuing that raising salaries of teachers is a gift from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and a good initiative that reflects the very important role of teachers in the Egyptian society.

The prominent businessman explained that paying much attention for teachers is the backbone of the educational process.

The Egyptian lawmaker also added that improving the material conditions for teachers will be reflected in their social and moral conditions, wondering “How can a teacher get a salary that is less than the minimum wage?

During today's session, the parliament approved a draft law on financial benefits that President Sisi instructed the government to provide for school teachers and their assistants in 2017, and amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

The draft law, previously approved by the cabinet, includes a new pay system for teachers and the establishment of a social and financial fund for teachers and other employees in the education sector, the Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maait, said in a statement on Sunday.

The new financial incentives, effective as of 1 January 2021, include salary raises between EGP 390 to EGP 630.

The benefits also include a 50% increase in the teacher allowance, ranging from EGP 75 to EGP 180, at a cost of EGP 1.8 billion and a 50% rise in the monthly incentive at a value from EGP 140 to EGP 185 at a total cost of EGP 1.2 billion.

On his part, Dr. Tariq Shawqi, Minister of Education, said, "We are considering a new decision, which will be announced before the end of this year, with regard to raising the minimum wages for teachers at private schools.