Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Maya Morsy, attended the launch ceremony of the “Tokkatsu Diploma”, hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Cairo. The initiative reflects a deepening of the strategic partnership between Egypt and Japan, particularly in the fields of early childhood education and human capital development.
The event, held in the presence of high-profile Egyptian and Japanese officials—including Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel Latif, Japanese Ambassador Fumio Iwai, and Dr. Hany Helal, Secretary-General of the Egyptian-Japanese Partnership Steering Committee—celebrated the official inauguration of the diploma program, the first of its kind in Egypt.
Building Human Capital from Early Childhood
In her remarks, Dr. Morsy emphasized the symbolic and practical significance of the event, describing it as a “milestone” in the journey of Egyptian-Japanese cooperation.
“This diploma reflects our shared belief in the transformative power of human development from early childhood, grounded in values, knowledge, and discipline—principles deeply embedded in Egypt’s social protection and development agenda,” she stated.
The “Tokkatsu” (short for Tokubetsu Katsudou, or “special activities”) model is a cornerstone of Japan’s holistic educational philosophy, focusing on character building, teamwork, and practical life skills alongside academic learning.
Expanding Educational Cooperation
Currently implemented in 55 Egyptian schools, the Tokkatsu approach will be extended to 14 additional schools in the upcoming academic year, bringing the total to 69 institutions nationwide. The program is seen as a vital part of Egypt’s broader education reform strategy.
Dr. Morsy also highlighted the long-standing partnership with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), particularly through projects that have improved early childhood environments, enhanced health and growth outcomes for young children, and promoted family welfare across the country.
She announced that Egypt is currently conducting a national survey on child care services, aiming to map out challenges and opportunities in early education. She also noted the establishment of child reception centers in the New Administrative Capital by the Ministries of Social Solidarity and Justice—designed on the Japanese model to boost cognitive development and early learning outcomes.
Shared Vision for Sustainable Development
“At the Ministry of Social Solidarity, we firmly believe that education and early childhood care are foundations for justice and sustainable development,” Dr. Morsy stated. “We remain committed to working alongside our partners to ensure a brighter future for every child and family in Egypt.”
In her concluding remarks, she extended sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan, JICA, and the Egyptian Ministries of Education and Higher Education for their efforts and commitment to this joint endeavor.
Symbol of Enduring Bilateral Partnership
The launch of the Tokkatsu Diploma is not just an educational milestone—it is a testament to the deep-rooted friendship between Egypt and Japan. The collaboration continues to serve as a model of how shared values and mutual respect can lead to impactful development in education and beyond.
