{"id":558991,"date":"2021-01-04T03:51:18","date_gmt":"2021-01-04T03:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/blackboards\/education-whats-to-come-in-2021\/"},"modified":"2021-01-04T03:51:18","modified_gmt":"2021-01-04T03:51:18","slug":"education-whats-to-come-in-2021","status":"publish","type":"blackboard","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/blackboards\/education-whats-to-come-in-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Education: What\u2019s to come in 2021?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a> Education: What\u2019s to come in 2021?<\/strong> In 2020, the world saw massive educational disruption<\/a> amid covid-19 school and university closures. Though education remained a defensive sector in Egypt, it faced many challenges. Moving into 2021, we asked education leaders what key issues are on their minds.<\/p>\n

Their answers? <\/strong>Continuing in-person learning, investing wisely, and navigating exams. We\u2019ll also be keeping an eye on electronic university admissions, possible education IPOs, and continued construction.<\/p>\n

International K-12 schools are taking the Education Ministry\u2019s directive to move back online in their stride: <\/strong>School leaders had been monitoring rising covid-19 case rates to see if they\u2019d need to move fully online again, so they were prepared when Education Minister Tarek Shawki released a statement last week<\/a> that fully-online learning will resume until late February, say representatives. \u201cWe're relatively ready, though no one wanted this,\u201d says El Alsson\u2019s Executive Director Karim Rogers.<\/p>\n

The big question is, when can they reopen? <\/strong>An estimated seven private schools had successfully resumed full-time classroom learning since the beginning of the academic year, says Rogers. Their aim was to continue this \u2014 as long as it was safe, say Rogers and Schutz\u2019s Assistant Head of School Massimo Laterza. While respecting the ministry\u2019s directive is a must for safety, Rogers wants to resume in-person learning as soon as possible, he says.<\/p>\n

As the year goes on, contingency plans will be bolstered by continued investment in health and safety measures, and in online learning: <\/strong>OPEX investment in extra sanitation, masks and other equipment is likely to remain steady or see a slight increase in 2021, say private school leaders. \u201cWe invested heavily in safety and online learning provision, and if we continue with this level of investment now, we\u2019ll be in very good shape,\u201d says GEMS CEO Ahmed Wahby.<\/p>\n

But vaccine hopes will fuel impatience with online and blended learning:<\/strong> The 2020 shift online worked in a crisis, but is unlikely to be sustainable in the long run, says Laterza. He and Rogers agree that blended learning will be more integrated into K-12 education one day, but not in 2021. \u201cIt will take longer, particularly because of the vaccine,\u201d says Laterza. \u201cEveryone\u2019s placing all their hopes on the vaccine. They want to go back to regular school.\u201d<\/p>\n

And while covid disrupts education, tuition debates will continue: <\/strong>Disputes over tuition discounts<\/a> or refunds are linked to how much value (or not) parents see in their schools\u2019 online or blended learning \u2014 which varies greatly, say Rogers and Laterza. Parents will be understanding if the government orders school closures, but frustration may grow if they feel online learning isn\u2019t benefiting their children, Laterza believes. 47% of respondents to our June survey<\/a> on e-learning and 34% of respondents to our December survey<\/a> on blended learning either disagreed or strongly disagreed with continuing to use their schools\u2019 platforms as they stood.<\/p>\n

The hope is for a light touch when it comes to government tuition oversight:<\/strong> The government cap on annual tuition increases will remain a hot topic<\/a> for debate, especially among private school owners, Laterza predicts. \u201cI think private school owners will keep negotiating to raise the cap in 2021. The sector\u2019s been affected since the 2016 EGP float, when the cap was first imposed,\u201d he adds. Extra covid-19 costs have hit schools hard, says Rogers. \u201cWill the ministry get involved in the issue of fee increases? I don\u2019t know. I hope not, because we\u2019re in recruitment season now, and most of our hires are from overseas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Along with accelerating crucial regulatory issues, like foreign ownership limits: <\/strong>Accelerating exemptions to the 20% cap on foreign ownership limits<\/a> for K-12 schools would create a lot of positive momentum for FDI in the education sector, says Wahby. \u201cThat\u2019s a priority moving into 2021.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Higher Education Ministry\u2019s launching a streamlined platform for private university application in Spring semester 2021<\/strong>, starting with a pilot phase for some private and nonprofit universities, we reported recently<\/a>. The platform will then become mandatory for all universities, starting from the Fall semester of the 2021-22 academic year.<\/p>\n

Private universities are downplaying any concerns about university autonomy being threatened: <\/strong>One school official said last year<\/a> the new system could raise concerns about universities\u2019 autonomy in selecting their student body. But private universities will essentially remain independent because they will retain their rights in several important areas, the presidents of Badr University, Future University, the Japanese University, Chinese University and Misr University for Science and Technology tell Enterprise. These include the right to hold admissions tests to select the students they want and to decide what percentage of students they accept from different school systems (such as the American Diploma, or International Baccalaureate), without ministry interference.<\/p>\n

University autonomy won\u2019t look quite the same:<\/strong> \u201cPrivate universities won\u2019t have precisely the same freedom now, but as long as a university is able to choose its own students, this is independence,\u201d says Badr University President Mustafa Kamal. Structuring the new system seemed to be a relatively inclusive process, with different private universities involved in discussions, says the Knowledge Hub President Mahmoud Allam.<\/p>\n

The growth of international branch campuses may take a back seat to local university construction this year: <\/strong>There\u2019s currently less buzz about international branch campuses and more about new local universities like King Salman University<\/a>, says Yehia Bahei El Din, BUE\u2019s Vice President for Research & Postgraduate Studies. Ten more are opening this year, and already seeing high demand from students and faculty members, he adds. International branch campuses will continue, but may face some challenges in recruiting expat staff this year, Bahei El Din predicts.<\/p>\n

As a sector, education will remain defensive in 2021:<\/strong> 2020 trends of high CAPEX investment, school and university construction in the New Capital, Sheikh Zayed, and New Cairo, and the growth of franchising are all expected to continue into 2021, say multiple sources. \u201cEgypt\u2019s education market will continue being as strong, if not stronger, in 2021,\u201d predicts Wahby. \u201cIt\u2019s resilient, with high demand and strong potential.\u201d Top schools have the funds and capacity to continue with CAPEX investment, agrees Rogers. And the growth of international franchises will be welcomed by the ministry because of high demand for schools, he believes.<\/p>\n

But the rate of school construction in greater Cairo won\u2019t be seen immediately elsewhere: <\/strong>Schools will be built in Ain Sokhna and El Alamein, but not this year, predicts Rogers. \u201cWith the new railway connection<\/a>, there\u2019ll be a jump in demand for schools there \u2014 but probably not immediately.\u201d International franchises won\u2019t target Alexandria yet, believes Laterza, as the international schools market is relatively saturated. \u201cMost schools opening here are private national schools, targeting Egyptians who intend to remain in Egypt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Could 2021 be the year for more education IPOs? <\/strong>With the news that CI Capital plans to list<\/a> up to 40% of its education management arm Taaleem Consulting and Educational Services in an IPO in 1Q2021, combined with 2020\u2019s strong education stock performance \u2014 outperforming<\/a> the benchmark EGX30 \u2014 we can\u2019t be the only ones wondering if more IPOs are in the offing.<\/p>\n

Your top education stories for the week:<\/strong><\/p>\n