Minister of Education Holds Meeting with Directors and Deputies
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, held a meeting with the directors and deputies of the education directorates to discuss the implementation status of the educational process and ensure a strong and well-organized start to the second semester.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed El-Mohammadi, Assistant Minister for Strategic Planning and Follow-up and Supervisor of the Central Administration for the Minister's Office; Mr. Khaled Abdel Hakam, Advisor to the Minister for Examinations and Supervisor of the Central Administration for Examinations; Dr. Hala Abdel Salam, Head of the Central Administration for General Education; and Mr. Ali Abdel Raouf, Head of the Central Administration for Directorates Affairs.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the directors of the education directorates for their field efforts over the past period. He emphasized that what has been achieved on the ground in the past year and a half is a genuine accomplishment worthy of praise, especially given the available resources, and that their efforts have contributed to a qualitative leap in the education system.
The Minister emphasized that the responsibility placed on the shoulders of directors and deputy directors of educational directorates is a major national responsibility, given their oversight of the education of over 25 million students who represent the future of Egypt. He pointed out that the fruits of the work being done today will be clearly reflected in the future through generations of graduates capable of succeeding and integrating into the labor market. He stressed that the role of the director of the directorate is pivotal and crucial, and is considered one of the cornerstones of the success and stability of the educational process.
Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif added that the Ministry views directors, deputy directors, and directors of educational departments as an integrated unit in implementing educational policies, and that any success or failure in the educational system is a collective responsibility that necessitates full coordination and teamwork.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed a set of measures to ensure the continued smooth operation of schools and a strong, disciplined start to the second semester. He discussed with the directors of the education directorates the results of the National Program for Developing Arabic Language Skills, the first and second phases of which have been implemented in 20 governorates, with preparations underway to launch the third phase in 7 governorates. He emphasized the necessity for these results to accurately reflect students' actual level of reading and writing skills.
In this context, he stressed that ensuring proficiency in reading and writing is the direct responsibility of the directors of the education directorates, and no student should be promoted to the next grade without possessing the minimum required skills.
In this regard, the Minister affirmed the implementation of field visits from the first day of the second semester to monitor the regularity of the educational process. These visits will include assessing students' proficiency in reading and writing skills, monitoring the results on the ground, ensuring schools' adherence to the required standards, and taking necessary actions based on the findings of these visits.
During the meeting, Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif followed up on the delivery of textbooks to the education directorates, directing that a 100% delivery rate be achieved and that directorate warehouses be completely empty of books. He emphasized that books should be delivered to schools promptly and stressed the importance of ensuring students receive their textbooks regularly and without delay from the first day of the second semester.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of monitoring student attendance rates, stressing the role of education directors in closely monitoring student assessments within schools. He emphasized the need for regular attendance and for assessments and grade reports to accurately reflect students' true academic levels.
In the same context, the Minister stressed the importance of upholding the dignity of teachers and schools and ensuring the discipline of the educational process to create a serious learning environment. He emphasized the firm and decisive application of the school discipline regulations without any leniency.
Regarding the efforts to eliminate evening classes, Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif reviewed the Ministry's procedures in this regard, indicating that evening classes in schools will be completely phased out by 2027.
The Minister also announced that sample exams for the General Secondary Certificate will be released in the coming period to allow students to familiarize themselves with the format and nature of the exams.
As part of the focus on improving the school environment, Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif emphasized the importance of creating a safe and healthy learning environment for students. He stressed the need to maintain the cleanliness of schools and classrooms, address any safety concerns immediately, and expand tree planting within schools, given its role in providing a healthy and safe learning environment. He directed that available spaces within schools be utilized for planting trees and that their maintenance be monitored regularly. He also emphasized the importance of painting schools and monitoring their condition and maintenance to ensure they maintain a suitable standard and contribute to creating an attractive and supportive learning environment.
The Minister also directed the continuation of regular monitoring of international schools, including ongoing field visits, to ensure their adherence to teaching the prescribed national identity subjects (Arabic language, history, and religious education). He further directed a review of all procedures previously mandated by the Ministry to guarantee student safety.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif emphasized his close monitoring of the package of directives and procedures that will be implemented during the second semester to ensure the continued discipline of the educational process in the Republic's schools.