(DNE file photo)
The total amount of general expenditure on elementary education reached approximately EGP 45.3bn in the fiscal year FY 2013/2014, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) reported on Monday.
The figure represents 6.6% of Egypt’s total public expenditure, and 56% of the country’s total expenditure on education.
According to the CAPMAS report on “Elementary education development in Egypt”, the number of elementary schools has increased by 13.5% during FY 2013/2014 to reach 28,500 schools. This compared to 25,100 schools in FY 2004/2005, and is expected to further increase to reach 34,200 schools by FY 2024/2025.
Moreover, the number of classrooms has increased from 277,400 in FY 2004/2005 to reach 338,900 classrooms in FY 2013/2014 and is expected to reach 407,500 in FY 2024/2025.
The report further noted that the number of students in elementary education has increased by 23.5%, to reach 14.2 million students in FY 2013/2014. This was compared to 11.5 million students in FY 2004/2005, while it is expected to reach 17.1 million by FY 2024/2025.
However, the report said the number of elementary school teachers has also increased by 17.5%, to reach 636,900 in FY 2013/2014 compared to 542,400 in FY 2004/2005. A further increase to 765,500 is expected by FY 2024/2025.
The average classroom density in the primary education phase reached 42.8 students in FY 2013/2014 nationwide, reaching 48 students in Giza and Qaliubiya governorates, whilst decreasing in the New Valley and South Sinai governorates to 19.7 students per classroom.
As for the preparatory education phase, classroom density nationwide, reached about 40.3 students in FY 2013/2014, varying from 44.8 and 43.7 student in Giza and Qaliubiya governorates. The number decreases in the New Valley and South Sinai governorates, reaching 21.3 to 21.8 students per classroom.
The main problems in elementary education include the refusal to enrol students in schools, the lack of capacity for all those who should be enrolled, high density in classrooms, the reliance on private tuitions and drop outs, according to CAPMAS.
