Egypt Eyes Improvements to Education

Egypt
February 9, 2006

The Christian Science Monitor last week reported that test-based grades and rote memorization will no longer be the hallmarks of Egypt’s education system, as the country aims to get its students more equipped for a global society. Education reformers are pushing for more arts education, along with more schools and more teachers in existing schools to reduce class sizes.

According to the Monitor’s report, "The door for human development and improving competitiveness is education," says Hossam Badrawy, the education committee chair of Egypt's ruling party. "The core of tolerance and democracy is education. This is the most important way to change the life of this country."

Last year alone, funding from the USAID allowed Egypt to expand the number of pilot schools from 30 to 245. Now, Egypt is concentrating on specific areas of education, such as problem solving and critical thinking, that are crucial to a better democracy.

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