Minister of Education Participates in First Session of the Communications
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, participated today in a hearing of the Communications and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives, chaired by Dr. Ahmed Badawy. The hearing aimed to present the Ministry of Education's vision regarding the study of legislation to protect children and youth and reduce harmful content on social media platforms, in implementation of presidential directives.
The session was attended by Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology; Dr. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity; Dr. Ahmed Badawy, Chairman of the Communications and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives; Mr. Ahmed Abdel Gawad, Head of the Parliamentary Body of the Future of the Nation Party; Mr. Ahmed El-Ateify, Head of the Parliamentary Body of the Homeland Protectors Party; Mr. Suleiman Wahdan, Head of the Parliamentary Body of the National Front Party; Counselor Mohamed Eid Mahgoub, Chairman of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee; heads of parliamentary bodies; representatives of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood; representatives of Al-Azhar and the Church; and representatives of all global platforms.
Also present from the Ministry were Dr. Ahmed Daher, Deputy Minister, and Mr. Walid Maher, Director General of the General Administration for Political Communication and Parliamentary Affairs.
During the session, the Minister of Education and Technical Education thanked the House of Representatives for its efforts, which align with the state's direction towards drafting a comprehensive law to regulate and further control children's use of social media applications, websites, and electronic games. He emphasized that the House of Representatives is a key partner in shaping public policy, and that the existing cooperation between the executive and legislative branches is a fundamental pillar in supporting the state's efforts to develop education and protect young people.
Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif stressed that this issue primarily focuses on the age groups in the Ministry of Education and Technical Education schools, ranging from 4 to 15 years old, a crucial stage in character development. He explained that there is a real crisis due to the availability of open and accessible platforms without sufficient controls, necessitating intensified efforts to protect our students.
In this context, the Minister affirmed that the Ministry is working to integrate concepts related to internet safety and the safe use of digital platforms into school curricula. This aims to protect students and raise their digital literacy, as well as implement awareness programs for students to explain these risks.
The Minister also indicated that the Ministry is working on establishing an educational platform aimed at enhancing student engagement and encouraging them to use their time positively. This initiative is being undertaken in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and will guide students towards safe and meaningful content, reducing their exposure to inappropriate online content. Additionally, the Ministry is exploring the possibility of providing a dedicated educational internet package for students in all grade levels. This package would block websites and platforms that could harm children, ensuring the safe and beneficial use of technology.
The Minister of Education and Technical Education added that the Ministry is cooperating closely with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, which is making significant efforts in this area. He emphasized the ongoing coordination between the two ministries in addressing the challenges related to digital content and protecting children and youth. He stressed that these challenges represent a global crisis affecting all countries, not just one in particular, which necessitates the exchange of expertise and learning from international experiences in this field.
The minister stated, "The ministry is teaching programming and artificial intelligence concepts to its students through international platforms for first-year secondary school students aged 15. The aim is to introduce students to the fundamentals of programming, the concept of artificial intelligence, and algorithmic thinking mechanisms, broadening their understanding of how these technologies work and developing their digital literacy, thus enabling them to use technology safely and responsibly."
The minister emphasized the importance of developing regulatory legislation in this area, given the direct impact of digital content and modern applications on cultural values and societal identity, and in a way that preserves the fundamental principles of Egyptian society.