Minister of Education Issues Ministerial Decree
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, issued Decree No. (303) regarding the reorganization of work, study system, and examinations in all types of gifted and talented schools, following the approval of the Supreme Council for Pre-University Education.
The decree, in its first section, Article 1, includes general provisions for all types of secondary schools for gifted students in science and technology, which aim to:
- Nurture gifted students in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology, and cultivate their abilities.
- Enhance the role of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology in Egyptian education.
- Disseminate modern educational systems for gifted students in the fields mentioned in the previous two points, such as the STEM system and other equivalent educational systems in Egyptian schools.
- Encourage a large percentage of secondary school students to pursue scientific specializations.
- Implement new curricula and teaching methods based on inquiry-based projects and an integrated approach to teaching. - To cultivate and develop students' interests and skills, and increase their participation and achievement in science and mathematics.
- To integrate the curricula of science, mathematics, technology, and engineering, revealing the interconnectedness of these fields to prepare students with the ability to design, innovate, and think critically.
- To equip students with collaborative learning skills.
- To establish a distinguished scientific base qualified for university education and scientific research.
Article Two of the decision stipulates the establishment of a central unit called the Gifted and Talented Schools Unit, reporting directly to the Minister and administratively supervised by the Central Administration for the Minister's Office. Its head will be appointed by a decision of the Minister. This unit replaces the Central Unit for Supporting Gifted Schools in Science and Technology (STEM Unit) and the Supreme Executive Committee for Supporting Gifted Schools in all tasks and responsibilities. The Ain Shams Secondary School for Gifted Students and the STEM Schools will be transferred to this unit.
Article Three of the decision stipulates that the Gifted and Talented Schools Unit shall be responsible for managing and overseeing all technical, financial, and administrative affairs of gifted and talented schools. It shall be the sole entity with original jurisdiction over the supervision and monitoring of all types of gifted schools subject to the provisions of this decision. Its responsibilities include:
- Developing plans to diversify learning opportunities available in schools through collaboration with universities, research centers, and the National Center for Educational Research and Development.
- Establishing admission requirements for all types of gifted schools and determining the number of students to be admitted to each school.
- Setting the necessary conditions for the employment of staff and faculty members within the Unit and all types of gifted schools.
- Forming a technical committee to evaluate student projects and develop examination questions in coordination with the subject matter advisor.
- Taking all necessary financial and administrative actions, maintaining records and registers, overseeing correspondence, and preparing payrolls and incentives. - Monitoring new developments in international STEM curricula and programs, and collaborating with relevant authorities to translate and adapt them.
- Preparing and printing publications, brochures, and instructions related to financial and administrative matters, and participating in the preparation of the unit's balance sheet.
- Providing technical guidance and monitoring teaching and its quality in coordination with the Ministry's subject matter advisors.
Article 4 of the second section of the decision, concerning the Ain Shams School for Gifted Students, stipulates that the Ain Shams School for Gifted Students is a leading secondary school in the field of gifted schools. It admits top-performing students who have completed preparatory school to help them continue their progress, critical thinking, scientific research, and innovation. The language of instruction at the Ain Shams School for Gifted Students is Arabic, following the Egyptian Baccalaureate system, in the Medicine and Life Sciences track, and the Engineering and Computer Science track. Students choose one of these tracks after successfully completing the first year of secondary school.
Article Five of the decision, Chapter Three, includes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) schools. These are newly established secondary schools for gifted students who excel in their preparatory certificate (middle school) to help them continue their progress, critical thinking, scientific research, and innovation. The study system is as follows:
- The General Secondary Education Certificate is limited to the third year of secondary school only.
- Students progressing to the third year choose one of two tracks: the Science track or the Mathematics track.
- Core subjects (not counted towards the final grade) are Religious Education and Citizenship and Human Rights. These are pass/fail subjects.
- Specialized subjects (counted towards the final grade):
• Common subjects: Arabic Language, First Foreign Language, Second Foreign Language, Chemistry, and Physics.
• Science track: Biology and Geology and Environmental Science.
• Mathematics track: Applied Mathematics and Pure Mathematics.
The current grading system will remain in place. The Minister will issue a decision regarding the distribution of grades and the content of the courses if necessary. Students also study advanced practical programs in laboratories; these are pass/fail courses and do not contribute to the overall grade point average.
The examination for these courses is practical, and teachers are required to teach practical lessons alongside theoretical ones. Students are expected to maintain good conduct, and parents will be notified of any student's inappropriate behavior at least once a month.