Minister of Education Chairs Meeting of the Supreme Council for Pre-University Education

Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, chaired a meeting of the Supreme Council for Pre-University Education today to discuss the 2025/2026 academic year plan and review some of the ministry's plans, policies, and recently implemented executive procedures.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister welcomed the attendees, emphasizing the vital role played by the Supreme Council for Pre-University Education in supporting the educational process, participating in decision-making, and developing educational plans and programs.

During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the Ministry's plan for the new academic year, emphasizing that the reality of education is measured by what happens inside the classroom. He noted that the Ministry's efforts over the past period have directly contributed to achieving high attendance rates up to this point in the academic year, ranging between 80% and 90%. He also noted that class sizes do not exceed 50 students per class. The Ministry has also developed a plan to end the evening shift system in primary schools within two to three years.

The Minister also reviewed the timeline for the 2025/2026 academic year, which begins on September 20, 2025, and ends on June 11, 2026, with 36 academic weeks. The curriculum is distributed over two semesters. The first semester will begin on September 20, 2025, and will continue until January 22, 2026. First-semester exams for transfer classes will begin on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The second semester will begin on Saturday, February 7, 2026, and will continue until Thursday, June 11, 2026. Second-semester exams for transfer classes will begin on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

He added that first-semester exams for the preparatory certificate will begin on Saturday, January 17, 2026, and second-semester exams will begin on Saturday, June 4, 2026.

Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif explained that the mid-year break will extend for two weeks, starting on Saturday, January 24. 2026 and will end on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

As for technical diploma exams, preparations will begin on Sunday, May 31, 2026, and high school exams will begin on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The Minister added that these dates cover all levels of education, including public, public language, private, and private language schools. The last week of the curriculum distribution plan will be allocated for review.

The Minister indicated that the number of actual school days is 172, including 88 days for the first semester and 84 days for the second semester, after excluding official holidays, Fridays, and Saturdays. He emphasized that the last week of each semester will be allocated for review.

Regarding the curricula, the Minister emphasized the development of the content of Arabic language, social studies, and religious education books with the aim of building students' character and enhancing their values ​​and skills.

Regarding mastering reading and writing skills, the Minister explained that the Ministry is cooperating with UNICEF to implement intensive training programs for students who have not mastered these skills in the early grades of primary school.

He also explained that remedial programs are available during the summer months for early grade students who have not mastered reading and writing skills, ensuring that students advance to the next grade after mastering basic reading and writing skills.

The Minister emphasized the Ministry's commitment to strengthening communication with parents by holding introductory and consultative meetings throughout the school year, ensuring continuous monitoring of student progress.

The Minister also noted the Ministry's extensive cooperation with the Ministry of Health and civil society organizations to address health issues suffered by some students in various governorates, such as poor eyesight, anemia, and dwarfism. This is part of an integrated plan that ensures improved overall student health and maintains their academic achievement.

In the field of technical education, the Minister noted that the number of applied technology schools currently stands at 90. He emphasized that the Ministry seeks to transform 1,270 technical schools into international schools to prepare students for the global labor market. This is done through cooperation with countries such as Japan and Italy, as well as businessmen and companies interested in this successful model.

At the conclusion of the meeting, attendees praised the Ministry of Education's efforts to develop the educational system, affirming their full support for all implementation steps aimed at providing a safe and stimulating educational environment that keeps pace with modern requirements and meets the aspirations of students and parents alike. The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Mohamed Diaa Zein El Abidine, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Universities, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Ragab, Vice President of Cairo University for Education and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Iman Haridi, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for Education at Cairo University, Prof. Dr. Maged Abu El Enein, Secretary of the Educational Studies Sector Committee at the Supreme Council of Universities, Sheikh Ayman Abdel Ghani, Head of the Al-Azhar Institutes Sector, representing Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Dr. Hanan Moussa, Head of the Central Administration for Studies and Research at the General Authority for Cultural Palaces, representing the Ministry of Culture, Prof. Dr. Gouda Ghanem, Head of the Education Sector, representing the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ms. Heba Saber, Head of the Central Administration for Combating Dumping and Subsidies, representing the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, Prof. Dr. Naeem Moselhi, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Ms. Heba Mohamed Abdel Moneim, representing the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Mr. Ahmed Sayed Hussein, Head of the Human Development Budgets Sector, representing the Ministry of Finance, and Ms. Yasmine Mamdouh, Director General of the Vocational Training Centers Affairs

A representative from the Ministry of Labor, and Major General Dr. Ayman Matar, Assistant Minister for Training and Rehabilitation, representing the Ministry of Industry, also attended.

Leaders from the Ministry of Education and Technical Education also attended, including Professor Dr. Ayman Bahaa El-Din, Deputy Minister; Dr. Amr Basila, Head of the Central Administration for Technical Education Development; Dr. Amani Korni, Head of the Central Administration for Technical Education Schools; and Dr. Hala Abdel Salam, Head of the Central Administration for General Education.