The Minister of Education receives a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development
Dr. Reda Hegazy, Minister of Education and Technical Education, received the USAID delegation; To discuss aspects of cooperation between the two sides in the field of expanding schools for outstanding students in science and technology (STEM).
The delegation included Ahmed Rizkallah, Senior Education Officer at the United States Agency for International Development, Dr. Reda Abu Saree, Director of the Project for Supporting Outstanding Schools for Science and Technology, and Hala Al-Serafi, Senior Education Consultant for the Project for Supporting Outstanding Students for Science and Technology.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Reda Hegazy welcomed the attendees, stressing the fruitful cooperation over the past years with the United States Agency for International Development in many educational projects that have been implemented in the fields of education, stressing the Ministry's keenness to enhance more aspects of cooperation with the Agency, especially with regard to expansion. In STEM Schools of Excellence for Science and Technology.
The minister emphasized that STEM schools for outstanding students in science and technology have become a distinctive shining sign in Egyptian education, noting that the state is interested in developing education, encouraging innovation, working to discover and nurture talented people in all academic subjects and school activities, and refining their skills in all disciplines, pointing to the praise of His Excellency Mr. Republic in STEM schools during his recent visit to Minya Governorate, directing to increase the expansion of these schools at the level of the Republic.
The minister pointed out that the schools for the outstanding students aim to transform students from relying on memorization and memorization in learning to understanding, research, innovation and creativity, which resulted in the creation of the scientific personality of the students.
During the meeting, the minister directed the preparation of a study and submission of proposals on mechanisms for expanding these schools, and choosing the optimal model and system for establishing new schools, in cooperation with the Central Administration for Expenses Education and the General Administration for Outstanding Students Affairs.
The most important organizational details and procedures for holding a conference on the STEM education system and the importance of learning through projects and research were also discussed, with a presentation of successful models of outstanding schools for STEM science and technology.
For his part, Dr. Reda Abu Saree, Project Manager for Supporting Schools of Excellence in Science and Technology, explained that the STESSA project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development, will support the organization of this conference for the benefit of the Ministry of Education.
He added that this conference is an opportunity to present and highlight the distinctive characteristics and practices of STEM schools, in addition to highlighting students’ projects and work, as well as highlighting the impact and importance of STEM education, and providing future support to Egyptian STEM schools.
For her part, Hala Al-Serafi, Senior Education Consultant in the Project for Supporting Outstanding Students in Science and Technology, said that the equation has been achieved in building the students’ personality, and this came through practical simulation in the implementation of projects in groups, which helped develop students’ skills, innovation and creativity.
She emphasized that the US Agency for International Development considers schools for outstanding students in science and technology to be one of its most successful educational projects in Egypt.
This came in the presence of Mr. Mohamed Attia, Head of the Central Administration for Education with Expenses, and Dr. Aziza Ragab, Director of the General Administration of STEM Schools Affairs.