Egypt’s education system faces significant challenges, including overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of teachers. According to Egypt’s new Minister of Education, Mohamed Abdel Latif, among Egypt’s foremost challenges in its education system are overcrowded classrooms and a critical shortage of teachers. He stated that some classes have as many as 120 to 130 students and announced that the ministry will address these issues and develop a new structure for the education system. As of December 2023, according to the Ministry of Education’s Pre-university Education annual bulletin for the academic year 2023/2024, the total number of students in schools across Egypt this year reached 25,657,984. The report also revealed a teaching force numbering 922,628 teachers across the country, serving 61,512 schools—both public and private schools nationwide—housing a total of 556,888 classrooms. Abdel Latif also highlighted another pressing concern about educational curriculum, noting a significant disparity as government high schools cover 32 subjects, whereas international schools focus on just 16. The Effect of Overcrowded Classes on Education An overcrowded classroom occurs when the number of students exceeds the intended capacity of the classroom space, according to the 2002 paper “School Facility Conditions…
Egypt’s Education System Confronts Classroom Overcrowding and Teacher Shortages
July 16, 2024
By Nadine Tag
Journalist
