98,000 Classrooms Added to Ease Overcrowding in Egypt’s Public Schools

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has added 98,000 classrooms during the 2023/2024 academic year, significantly reducing class sizes in public schools across the country. According to the ministry, 99.9% of public school classrooms now host fewer than 50 students—a move aimed at addressing overcrowding and improving student attendance.

To support the expanded infrastructure, the ministry has taken steps to address the ongoing teacher shortage. These include offering financial incentives for increased teaching loads, rehiring retired teachers, and bringing on part-time instructors with relevant qualifications. The combined approach has led to a reported 33% rise in adequate teaching coverage.

The ministry is also introducing structural changes to secondary education through the Egyptian Baccalaureate System. The new system will replace the current 32-subject model with 6 to 8 core subjects, each taught for roughly 100 hours per academic year. The aim is to align Egypt’s curriculum more closely with international standards.

Technical education is also set for expansion, with the Applied Technology Schools model expected to reach 90 institutions by the 2025/2026 academic year. These schools are being established in partnership with private sector actors and international partners from Germany, Italy, France, and Saudi Arabia, to help bridge the gap between education and labour market demands.