PM: Egypt Faces Many Challenges in Education

Egypt's Prime Minister (PM) Moustafa Madbouli said on Wednesday that the education file tops the Egyptian government's priorities, describing it as a "national security issue".

In his word during the inauguration of Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Madbouli stressed that the Egyptian government has worked to improve the quality of the existing education system in line with international systems.

"The education system in Egypt has not been truly developed over the years, to produce an Egyptian youth who is able to keep pace with scientific developments," he added.

Moreover, he emphasized that the Egyptian state provides free education for all without discrimination, with the aim of eradicating illiteracy.

In this regard, the PM explained that the Egyptian state faces many challenges in education, foremost of which, high illiteracy rates, poor education quality indicators, the high number of students in each classroom, the insufficient number of technical education schools.

The premier added that Egypt has about 30,000 schools, including 500,000 classes, and 23.5 million students, noting that 19% of the total number of schools has 50 students per class.

Moreover, Madbouli pointed out that 73,000 new classrooms, which would cost EGP 40 billion, need to be established to put an end to the high-density classrooms.

Concerning, higher education the PM added that about 38 universities are also needed to cope with the population growth problem, noting that the government plans to have at least one university in every governorate.

Additionally, the PM said the state has invested EGP 100 billion in education, including higher education, over the past six years.