Zoe Hyde

November 10, 2015

Education System of Egypt

The education system of Egypt is a higher power in the Middle East and Northern Africa.
This is a country that is far more progressive than its surrounding areas. Over the last 4 years this
Egypt has been going through a major transformation. In January and February of 2011 the
youths of Egypt took to the streets and forced Director Hosni Mubarak out of office. This was far
past due. It all came about because of the crowded and fund lacking secondary education field. In
this essay I will address the setup of the education system, the statistics of the country and the
new movement results. Egypt is on its way to recovery and it is proven by their many efforts and
rising statistics.
A student in Egypt would typical begin their career in Kindergarten. This starts at the age
of four, which is much younger than in most other countries. They also spend 2 years in these
classes. This is in the hope to take advantage of an early and moldable mind. After they have
successfully made it through their first grade level they will move to primary schooling. A
student will start at age six and spend six years moving through this system. After they have
finished this middle schooling they will be given a basic education certificate, because only
grades one through nine are mandatory, and take exams to identify their next path which can be
up to a three year commitment. There are three choices, general, technical or vocational.
Technical education focuses on building commercial, industrial or agricultural skills. Technical
and general education can lead to tertiary education whereas vocational is about more swiftly

entering the work force. They focus and building the students working abilities because of the
current lack of good training and knowledge. After this form of education they will receive a
General Secondary Education Certificate and follow on their own efforts to higher education for
4 to 5 years.

Egypt is considered to be in the lower middle class of the world and therefore their
citizens wouldnt always have the funds to send their children to good schools. Lucky enough
most schooling in the country is free of charge. This makes it more attainable for their youth.
Currently 32% of students proceed to higher education after 72% completed secondary and 94%
finished primary school. Higher education has become much more available in the last few years.
There are 42 universities and many more higher education facilities. Egypt is home to one of the
oldest Universities in the world Al-Azhar University founded in 970 AD.

Egypt is currently building 7 more universities and there is a huge movement being made
for educational freedom and government responsibility. They are coming from a moment of
turmoil and turning into a great time of progression. There are many new things to come for this
country and in the next few years we can only hope that is will become a place of pristine
education and a highly recommended college choice for students around the world.
Education

School/Level

Grade

Grade

Age

Age

From

To

From

To

Years

Notes
Kindergaten 2

Primary

Basic Education Elementary

14

11

years, Primary 6
years, prepratory 3
years

Al Azhar Education
Primary

Secondary
Vocational

Runs parallel to the

System -

Elementary through
Secondary
Secondary - High
School
Vocational Secondary

15

10

public educational
system

10

12

15

10

12

15

17

3
3

May extend to 3 to
5 year programs,

Education

School/Level

Grade

Grade

Age

Age

From

To

From

To

Years

Notes
include industrial,

Education

commercial, &
agricultural.

Tertiary
Tertiary

Middle technical
Institutes
Higher Technical
Institutes

2
5

Programs range 4 5 years

Sources
Education in Egypt - WENR. (2013, November 4). Retrieved November 11, 2015, from
http://wenr.wes.org/2013/11/education-in-egypt/

Education System in Egypt. (2012). Retrieved November 11, 2015, from

http://www.classbase.com/Countries/egypt/Education-System