The Minister of Education Issues a Circular Regarding Mechanisms

In line with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education's commitment to the safety and security of our students, Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, issued Circular No. 19 regarding mechanisms for maintaining student safety and security in private schools implementing special curricula (international), which includes the following instructions:

* Private schools implementing special curricula are required to update their surveillance camera systems and ensure coverage of all areas within the school premises, including classrooms, without exception.

* Multiple staff members are assigned to monitor the surveillance cameras until the end of the school day and to immediately report any violations that could compromise student safety and security to the school principal.

* Private schools are required to conduct regular drug tests for all school staff (teachers, administrators, supervisors, drivers, support staff, etc.) and for any new employee joining the school. Licenses will not be issued or renewed without proof of such testing.

* Physical safety awareness must be included in the training units' plans in schools. This awareness program should be conducted throughout the year with the assistance of specialists and should target children, teachers, specialists, administrators, workers, and parents.

* Awareness campaigns and activities should be launched within schools to educate students about potential dangers. This should be done through guidance from the school's psychological department and with the participation of boards of trustees, parents, and teachers, focusing on the importance of personal space for children.

* Maintenance personnel are prohibited from being present on school grounds during the school day, and no maintenance personnel are permitted before 5:00 PM, except on official holidays.

* Security personnel are prohibited from being present within the school premises during the school day, until the last student has left.

* * No school bus, whether belonging to the school or a private company, may depart without a supervisor appointed by the school and whose contract is approved by the educational administration.

* All schools are required to have two female staff members present at each restroom before students arrive and leave at least one hour after dismissal time.

* A two-week grace period is granted for all school staff to be approved by the educational administrations, along with a copy of their criminal record.

* All contracts and work permits for foreign staff must be approved.

* Supervision must be maintained at a minimum staff-to-teacher ratio of 1:6.

* Students are strictly prohibited from entering the school premises more than fifteen minutes before the start of the morning assembly.

* The school principal may not leave the premises until the last student has departed.

* No student in kindergarten or primary school may be present without constant supervision from the school, represented by their classroom teacher or the supervisor if present on the school bus.

* Security logs must be activated within schools to control the entry of unauthorized individuals.

* Constant supervision is required in school corridors to monitor student movement.

* - The Ministry strongly advises all concerned parties, private and international schools that all schools will be monitored periodically by committees formed to verify the implementation of all mechanisms contained in the circular, and to monitor any violations that would subject the school to the penalty of subjecting it to the financial and administrative supervision of the Ministry, while emphasizing that all penalties contained in the provisions of Ministerial Resolutions No. (420-422) of 2014 will be applied to any violating school, in the event that negligence or shortcomings are proven on the part of the school administration.