{"id":587097,"date":"2023-05-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/blackboards\/the-enterprise-guide-on-how-to-open-a-school-in-egypt\/"},"modified":"2023-05-22T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-05-22T00:00:00","slug":"the-enterprise-guide-on-how-to-open-a-school-in-egypt","status":"publish","type":"blackboard","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/blackboards\/the-enterprise-guide-on-how-to-open-a-school-in-egypt\/","title":{"rendered":"The Enterprise guide on how to open a school in Egypt"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span>So you want to set up a new private or international school:<\/span> The<\/span> process of establishing a new private or international school in Egypt is relatively straightforward \u2014 albeit somewhat tedious and bureaucratic. We put together a simple guide on the steps and regulatory requirements a prospective investor needs to follow to set up an international or private school, as <\/span>outlined by the Education Ministry (pdf)<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

First thing\u2019s first: Decide which type of school \u2014 and which curriculum to<\/span> follow:<\/span> Before applying for government licensing, a prospective school founder must decide the curriculum or education system the school will administer, whether it\u2019s the American Diploma, the British system and IGCSE, or the International Baccalaureate (IB). This will determine the steps you\u2019ll need to follow and which body or organization you\u2019ll apply to for accreditation. <\/span><\/p>\n

Find and buy a plot of land:<\/span> Once you\u2019ve decided on the kind of school you<\/span> plan to set up \u2014 as well as the planned size of the student body and the facilities you expect to include on the campus \u2014 it\u2019s time to find a suitable plot of land. This process is often easier in new cities, since the initial city planning typically includes certain plots that are already dedicated to schools, education consultant Ahmed El Attar told Enterprise. \u201cThe paperwork might take less time in new cities because these plots are already planned for schools and pre-approved by authorities,\u201d El Attar said. <\/span><\/p>\n

How much does the land cost?<\/span> The total price tag will naturally vary depending<\/span> on the size of the plot and the selected area. Earlier this year, the New Urban Communities Authority <\/span>issued tenders<\/a><\/span> for land plots designated for nurseries and schools in different areas across Greater Cairo, with the prices ranging anywhere between EGP 1,735 per sqm to EGP 14,780 per sqm. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now it\u2019s time to get the licensing process underway:<\/span> Start by applying for a<\/span> license with the Education Ministry, which is required to give you a preliminary decision on the license application within 30 working days. If this time period elapses without a response, the application is considered to have received preliminary approval. Once the preliminary sign-off comes through, the prospective school owner needs to provide the education directorate with the detailed plan for the school. The directorate then sets up a specialized technical committee to assess the application within two months.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need some clearances from different ministries<\/span> confirming that the<\/span> land plot is cleared for building a school and doesn\u2019t belong to any of the ministries. For example, the Antiquities Ministry needs to confirm that the land doesn\u2019t house any antiquities, the Agriculture Ministry needs to confirm that the land isn\u2019t meant for agriculture, and the Electricity Ministry must verify that building a school won\u2019t interfere with electrical cables and infrastructure. Again, this process will be significantly easier if the land you\u2019ve selected has specifically been allocated for building a school, since these are factors that are already considered before the land is allocated. <\/span><\/p>\n

Pro tip: Get a lawyer or other representative to navigate the steps on your<\/span> behalf.<\/span> \u201cThis is crucial \u2014 forming a limited liability or investment company and then hiring a representative for the entity to handle all the paperwork and government approval\u201d will be a big help, El Attar told Enterprise. \u201cThe process is tedious and it needs someone with experience,\u201d he said. <\/span><\/p>\n

The price tag:<\/span> Private schools <\/span>need to pay<\/a><\/span> EGP 15k for a new license, in<\/span> addition to EGP 5k each year to renew the license. For international schools, the fee is steeper, at EGP 30k for the initial license and EGP 25k for the annual renewal fee. <\/span><\/p>\n

Timeline:<\/span> This approval process typically takes anywhere between six months<\/span> and a year if the land is pre-allocated for a school, and up to two years if it\u2019s not allocated, according to El Attar. At the end of the process, the Education Ministry will issue a stamped and signed decree that gives legal authorization to open a school. <\/span><\/p>\n

Once you get the approval, it\u2019s time to get building:<\/span> You\u2019ll need to provide the<\/span>General Authority for Educational Buildings (GAEB)<\/a><\/span> with detailed blueprints for the planned campus, including the dimensions for classrooms, staircases, hallways, playgrounds, labs, and any other facilities. The authority will put together a committee to inspect the construction plans and may also run an inspection halfway through the building process. The authority is \u201cmeticulous\u201d in its inspection and ensures that the approved blueprints are implemented, El Attar noted. Discrepancies between the plans and the implementation could put schools at risk of getting their licenses revoked, he noted. <\/span><\/p>\n

While the construction is underway, the school\u2019s planned curriculum needs<\/span> approval + certification:<\/span> Schools need to secure approval from the Education Ministry for the books and curriculum they plan to administer. National private schools rely on the ministry-issued books for the national curriculum, which are straightforward to get approvals for. However, schools with an international curriculum need to meet specific standards for the curriculum, instruction, assessment process, and staff qualifications before securing certification from an international organization. The British Council is responsible for accrediting schools with a British curriculum, while the IBO is responsible for IB accreditation. American diploma schools, meanwhile, can get certified through the <\/span>Council of International Schools<\/a><\/span> or <\/span>Cognia<\/a><\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, when is it time to open the doors for students?<\/span> The government issues a<\/span> stamped decree certifying that your school can legally operate once GAEB certifies that the school has been constructed correctly. That decree is the final all-clear to begin accepting students and operating the school. Schools can technically open up the admissions process before receiving the final decree, but this runs the risk of promising school seats to students and then not being denied final authorization from the government, El Attar noted. <\/span><\/p>\n

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