Minister of Education, Mohamed Abdel-Latif, has mandated that international schools in Egypt integrate Arabic, history, and religious studies into their curricula to strengthen “Egyptian identity.” This decree, issued in late August, requires all licensed international schools to include Arabic at the kindergarten (KG) level and teach Arabic and Religious Studies from grades one through three, following the Egyptian public school curriculum.
The new policy also stipulates that Arabic, Religious Studies, and Social Studies must be taught from grades four through nine, with each subject accounting for 10% of the final grade. For high school students, Arabic, History, and Religious Studies will be mandatory from grades 10 to 12, with grades in these subjects influencing the overall academic assessment.
The decision, aimed at deepening students’ connection to Egyptian heritage, has sparked considerable debate. Proponents view it as a crucial step in preserving national culture and history. Deputy Education Minister, Ayman Bahaa El-Din, has endorsed the initiative, citing its role in combating trends that conflict with Egyptian values and protecting students from moral decay.
Supporters praise the mandate for reinforcing students’ ties to their Egyptian roots. He believes that integrating these subjects into the curriculum will enhance students’ skills and cultural understanding.
However, critics question the practicality of the new requirements. Aliaa, a mother with children in a French school, worries that the added subjects may deter diplomatic families from enrolling their children in international schools. She supports early integration of these subjects but is concerned that their inclusion in the final year of high school might overwhelm students.
Education professionals have mixed feelings about the decree. Haiedy, a teacher at an American international school, describes the policy as a “double-edged sword,” highlighting potential benefits in improving Arabic proficiency and national awareness but expressing concerns over the increased academic load.
The Ministry of Education has assured flexibility will be at the high school level, with options to spread the content over multiple years. For American Diploma students, Arabic and History will constitute 20% of the overall grade, with the remaining grades based on GPA and final exams.
The new policy, affecting students from KG1 to grade nine starting in the 2024/2025 academic year and grades ten through twelve from 2025/2026, aligns with Article 24 of the Egyptian constitution, which mandates the inclusion of Arabic, Religious Studies, and national history in education.
Parents and educators emphasize the need for effective implementation strategies and tailored approaches to ensure the success of this initiative. The Ministry of Education will provide further details on how these subjects will be taught and whether additional teachers will be recruited for international schools.
