Assessment subjects for international are schools set for a shakeup: The Education Minister Mohamed Abdellatif issued a binding decision to make Arabic language, religious studies, history, and social studies in international schools a part of the end of year grades. Arabic language will be taught from KG to grade 12, while religious studies will be taught to students in grade 1 through grade 12. Social studies will be taught to students in grades four through nine to be replaced by history in grades 10 through 12.

Remember: Thanaweya Amma also got its share of changes with the Education Ministry reducing the number of subjects required for high school students, and putting a larger emphasis on critical thinking and analysis. We explored the new system and its implications in our Blackboard story last month.

How will the changes impact students? Arabic language, social studies, and history will be added to the student’s total grades at the end of each semester, representing 10% each of this total. As for the American diploma, grades will be split into 40% on the GPA, 40% on the American international final exams, and 20% allocated to Arabic and history exams. This also applies to students abroad who will have to apply and take these exams.

Why now? The amendments decision is final because it complies with the articles of the constitution, Deputy Education Minister Ayman Bahaa El Din stated. International schools were already teaching those subjects, but they were not added to the total, which is the only real change, Bahaa El Din mentioned.

Some official voices supported the decision: The decision is a “move in the right direction to strengthen the Egyptian, Arab, and religious identity of our children … this step will have a positive impact on the moral structure within Egyptian society over the coming years,” Al Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb said in a statement.

While several parents officially expressed their frustration: Many individuals filed official complaints to the Egyptian cabinet, arguing that this decision would harm the international education system, sources told Enterprise. A number of parents also submitted official requests to cancel this decision, as they believe that the special nature of the international curricula shouldn’t be meddled with, our sources added.

The Education Ministry say they have received no objections from school operators so far: Operators and owners of international schools were understanding during our meeting with them and they haven’t expressed any objections to the amendments, a source at the Education Ministry told Enterprise.

But, not all international schools are happy: “The decision is not sound, especially for schools that follow international institutions or receive accreditation from recognized bodies which issue them certificates apart from the GPA. A review is needed for these measures, especially for high schoolers as it will greatly affect total grade scores,” a head of an international school told Enterprise.

What international schools said: “ The Foundation of International Schools in Egypt understands the reasons for the decision and support it, but no implementation mechanisms have been issued, so we are currently holding workshops to study it and come up with practical proposals in a way that ensures obtaining its advantages without affecting study in international schools,” Eduhive CEO Karim Mostafa told Enterprise.

The international schools may soon have a proposal of their own: The international schools are seeking to develop a proposal for a shorter or a different curriculum from what is taught in national schools, to be discussed with the Education Ministry, Mostafa said.

When will the changes take place? The decision will be implemented as of September 2025, which means there will be a lot of time to study the situation and review it with the Education Minister, Mostafa stated.

Your top education stories for the week:

  • Palm Hills is offering full scholarships for top-mark high schoolers to study at Badya University, the local real estate player said in a statement (pdf) The scholarships will cover tuition fees, career training programs, and employment offers after graduation
  • GCC investors want a slice of Mount International: A number of undisclosed Saudi and Emirati investors — investment funds and family businesses — are in negotiations to acquire a 40% stake in Mount International School Community in a EGP 280 mn transaction
  • A new branch of a Greek university may be coming to Alexandria, with the Higher Education Ministry and Greek authorities exploring establishing a branch of the University of Patras in Alexandria, alongside plans to create a joint curriculum and establish an exchange program.
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