The Education and Scientific Research Committee at the House of Representatives plans to call on the Ministry of Finance to boost next year’s allocations for education and scientific research to EGP 210bn in accordance with the Constitution.
Head of the committee, member of parliament Gamal Sheha, said that constitutional provisions for scientific research during the current fiscal year are at EGP 30bn which comprises 1% of GDP, higher education at 2% worth EGP 60bn, and pre-university education at EGP 120bn.
The ministries of higher education and scientific research, finance, and education will coordinate to develop a comprehensive plan for the development of education and scientific research system and linking it to the labour market, Sheha said.
He explained that the committee will develop a legislative agenda for the education sector, including education and higher education bills in addition to laws for universities and scientific research.
A new thanawaya amma (secondary school) standardised test scheme will be announced soon in coordination with the Ministry of Education, according to the MP.
Sheha refused to disclose information on that system, but he noted that the committee is considering several proposals to develop education through new strategies.
Meanwhile, a source at the Ministry of Education said that Cairo, Alexandria, Qaliubiya, and Giza, are provinces that have demonstrated the greatest need for new schools. Some classrooms are overcrowded with more than 40 students per room.
Worse, he highlighted several government schools that are stretched to capacity, struggling to accommodate 60 or more students within a classroom with many of the students left without proper seating.
He explained that the problem in the four provinces is not financing, but rather the lack of government lands to establish schools.
