Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif Delivers Historic Speech Before the House of Representatives
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, participated in the House of Representatives plenary session, chaired by Counselor Hanafi Gebali, Speaker of the House of Representatives, which was devoted to discussing the draft amendment to the Education Law. This session reflects the state's commitment to developing the education system in line with the goals of the new republic.
At the beginning of his speech, Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the esteemed House of Representatives for the responsibility it has shouldered, the unprecedented support it has provided to the state and all its institutions, and the legislation it has implemented to expand the foundations of democracy, higher values, rights, and freedoms, and to support the future and hopes of citizens.
The Minister of Education said, "I stand before your esteemed Council today to complete together the steps we have begun in a reform project in which we all share a common interest and a hope to overcome all the challenges facing the educational process. I had the honor of presenting this project to your Council last October, in which I pledged to do my utmost to overcome these challenges. This is evident in the urgent interventions and measures undertaken by the Ministry last academic year, which, by the grace of God, have led to many positive changes."
The Minister explained that the draft amendments to the Education Law contain several pieces of legislation that represent a genuine and profound reform step. They reflect the government's commitment to developing the education system in a way that serves the interests of students and Egyptian families, alleviates the burden and suffering on them, and increases opportunities that may help our students achieve their aspirations by enrolling in colleges that enable them to keep pace with the rapid changes occurring in the labor market.
The Minister pointed out that Egyptian families' awareness of these changes has reached an unprecedented level, realizing that they have no choice but to choose a quality education that enhances their children's skills and abilities and prepares them for a competitive future in various fields.
The Minister emphasized that the introduction of the Egyptian Baccalaureate system and its inclusion in the draft law before you represents a milestone in the history of Egyptian education, potentially overcoming the challenges posed by the current secondary school system and the financial and moral burden it represents for every Egyptian family. He noted that adopting this system as an optional alternative to the secondary school system will provide a real opportunity for all students to achieve their ambitions through the multiple opportunities it provides and the flexibility it provides, allowing for expanded choices and college enrollment.
The Minister of Education also affirmed that, in all its requested amendments to the legislation of the law—which was enacted nearly forty-five years ago—the Ministry is committed to achieving the principles of equal opportunity and transparency, and to all constitutional provisions pertaining to pre-university education. He expressed his confidence in the agreement reached between the government and the esteemed Council, and that the Ministry's efforts in these amendments are directed toward a single goal: the best interests of our students and their families, with the hope of achieving an educational system that keeps pace with the times, makes a difference, instills values, and enhances trust in the state and its institutions.
In concluding his remarks, the Minister expressed his thanks and appreciation to this esteemed Council, headed by the distinguished Counselor Hanafi Gebali, asking God Almighty to guide us all toward what is best and right for this country.