Introducing the new and improved Thanawya Amma: The Egyptian government is currently working on a new public education system for high school students that is more in line with the British IGCSE and the American SAT admission tests.

What we know about the new system: Students will be able to choose between a variety ofacademic tracks, instead of the current two choices — science and literature. The move will allow students to be better prepared for university and for the major of their choice. The system will give students the chance to retake exams in order to improve their grades, just like its Western counterparts, provided that the student bears the cost of the retake, Education Minister Reda Hegazy had previously said.

New rules for high achievers and more choice for all students: Students will have the chance to graduate early and finish high school in just twoyears — from the current three years — if they prove themselves able to take on such a responsibility. High schoolers will also get to pick and choose their preferred subjects to study and get tested on.

More foreign languages: The system will prioritize the teaching of foreign languages, offeringstudents a wide range of languages to choose from.

Less subjects: Students will only study a total of four subjects in line with their careeraspirations, with the aim of helping them achieve better grades without the need for additional tutoring sessions.

A better university admissions system: The education and higher education ministries are working together to facilitate the university application process — providing more or less the same perks to public- and private-school graduates. The new system will see universities offer foundation years for students who didn’t get the required grades to get into their university or major or their choice.

Where things currently stand: The Education Ministry is currently conducting studies andexperimenting with the new system. “The system is being developed alongside industry professionals and international experts so it is up to par with international standards,” a source at the ministry told Enterprise. “We have thousands of students who opt to study abroad or join international schools to benefit from these systems [American and British systems]. We are trying to offer students in public schools the same perks,” the source added.

When can we expect this system to come to life? The system should be up and running forthe academic year 2026-2027, our sources said, but opening the conversation about it so far in advance gives people the chance to chime in. This will also allow the system to go to the National Dialogue for discussions so that any complications are ironed out before it becomes reality.

The bigger picture: The Education Ministry wants to improve the quality of education offered in public schools so they are able to compete with their private counterparts, the source said, adding that this competition will help the sector grow. “We want to end up with qualified graduates, who are able to benefit the local and foreign labor markets,” the source continued.

Parents reax: Parents, education experts, and private universities all welcomed the news of anew high school system with open arms. “I saw a sense of relief among parents after the news of a new system broke, but parents have expressed worries that the new system will be accompanied by a hefty price tag, similar to that of its Western peers,” Dalia El Hazawi, founder of the Egyptian Parents’ Coalition told Enterprise. The new system will also allow students to enroll in more than one major, unlike the current system, she added.

What do parents want? Parents want a more knowledge-based education system that doesn’thave the same complexities as the current system. They are also calling for a two-semester academic year, where students are tested twice, rather than once. While others want stability instead of an ever-changing education system.

A vote of confidence in the current system: The Egyptian education system — both theuniversity and pre-university stages — is very diverse, which makes it attractive to students abroad and enhances competitiveness, Future University President Obada Sarhan told Enterprise.

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