Minister discusses long-term education strategy with Sisi

In a five-hour meeting held in Ettehadiya Presidential Palace on Saturday, Education Minister Mahmoud Aboul Nasr discussed with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi the ministry’s plan to develop education, which includes 15 programs and extends through till 2030.

The first point in the strategy discussed, which was published in a number of newspapers, proposes school nutrition programs to help improve the cognitive abilities of students. During the meeting, Sisi stressed on the importance of support from the food industry to realize this plan.

As for the development of students, the plan includes providing free extra classes, starting an educational channel and decreasing the illiteracy rate.

The strategy also includes preparing 60,000 students of technical education for the Gulf market.

Concerning the curricula, the strategy involves changing 30 percent of it while developing the remaining 70 percent. Sisi has supported the development of technologies used in schools in collaboration with the UAE in a joint project previously announced.

The minister also proposed the gradual enhancement of the wages and status of teachers. Aboul Nasr said on Sunday that Sisi approved the return of the teacher day, which would take place in September before the start of the academic year and honor teachers with special accomplishments.

Teachers have held numerous waves of protests in recent years demanding enhanced wages and conditions.

Sisi also proposed during the meeting supporting the educational systems of other African nations through an exchange of expertise.

According to official statistics, the illiteracy rate in Egypt is now between 20 and 30 percent.