Egypt’s Education System Faces Overcrowded Classrooms and Teacher Shortages: A Call for Reform
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Loading... - Emma Maclean
- 31 Jul 2024
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Egypt’s education system is grappling with significant challenges, including overcrowded classrooms and a critical shortage of teachers, according to Egypt’s new Minister of Education, Mohamed Abdel Latif.
With a total of 25,657,984 students in schools across Egypt this year, the Ministry of Education’s Pre-university Education annual bulletin for the academic year 2023/2024 revealed that the country has a teaching force of 922,628 teachers serving 61,512 schools nationwide. However, with 556,888 classrooms housing these students, some classes have as many as 120 to 130 students, making it difficult for teachers to provide individual attention and effectively engage with all students.
Abdel Latif also highlighted another pressing concern about educational curriculum, noting a significant disparity as government high schools cover 32 subjects, whereas international schools focus on just 16.
Overcrowded classrooms pose significant challenges to the teaching-learning process, leading to poor academic outcomes, as reported in a 2018 study. Teachers could also struggle to engage with all students adequately, impacting their ability to assess and evaluate academic performance effectively. Additionally, teachers in overcrowded classes experience physical fatigue from having to speak very loudly to be heard over the noise.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Education has outlined initiatives to develop a comprehensive restructuring to enhance Egypt’s educational framework, reassess and streamline the curricula’s subjects, and explore alternative operational strategies for school buildings based on existing resources and capabilities.
The Ministry aims to prioritize the increase of highly skilled teachers, starting with the appointment of 30,000 teachers annually to address the severe teacher shortage. The initiative’s inaugural phase saw 15,902 educators selected through a competitive process, while the second phase successfully passed 20,866 teachers. Tests for the third phase are currently in motion, involving 11,144 subject teachers and 18,886 class teachers.
The Ministry’s strategic plan focuses on sustainability and lifelong learning, high-quality education meeting global competitiveness standards, and ensuring comprehensive, equitable access for all groups. The plan also includes strategies for digital transformation, innovative governance, and effective educational management, aiming to enhance learning quality and promote accessibility, inclusivity, and equitable participation.
To elevate educational standards and build a culture of creativity and innovation among students, the emphasis remains unwavering on continuous teacher training to align with a progressive global educational model.
In conclusion, Egypt’s education system requires urgent reform to address overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages, which pose significant challenges to the teaching-learning process. By prioritizing the appointment of highly skilled teachers and restructuring the educational framework, Egypt can ensure high-quality education that meets global competitiveness standards and promotes accessibility, inclusivity, and equitable participation for all students.
