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Education in Egypt is divided into a general education system and an Islamic education system known as the Al-Azhar system. General education consists of public, private, and international schools.
Public and tertiary education are nominally free, but public schools in Egypt remain at a low standard overall, and expats are unlikely to consider them. Luckily, there are many good international school options across Egypt, particularly in Cairo and Alexandria.
Public schools in Egypt
Public schools in Egypt are part of the largest education system in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and the government has been working to improve the standard of schooling available. There are frequent reforms to the education system, with some measures praised while others have been widely criticised.
Public education in Egypt is separated into several phases:
- Kindergarten: Schooling begins with the basic education phase at ages four and five.
- Primary school: Children then move to primary school between the ages of six and 12.
- Preparatory school: Students aged 13 to 15 move on to the next phase of education, where their academic results determine their secondary schooling options.
- Secondary school: The final phase takes place between the ages of 15 and 18. Secondary schooling can be undertaken at technical, vocational, or general schools.
In Egyptian public schools, the language of instruction is Arabic. A small number of public ‘language schools’ teach the national curriculum partly in English, but these are subject to ongoing government reforms. This, in combination with the low quality of education offered, leads many expat families to opt for private or international schools instead.
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Private schools in Egypt
Some private schools in Egypt follow a curriculum similar to that taught at public schools, but these schools tend to have better facilities and teachers, so children will generally get a better education here than at a public school. Some schools teach alternative curricula based on particular educational or religious philosophies.
While private schools may offer local and international students a higher quality of education, private schools are fee-paying institutions, making them pricier than public schools. Still, private schools remain more affordable than international schools.
International schools in Egypt
International schools in Egypt are private schools that teach a foreign curriculum. The most commonly taught curricula are those of the UK, the USA, and the International Baccalaureate, but there are also many more options, including French, German, Canadian, Pakistani, and others.
These schools are frequently oversubscribed, and some are academically selective, so it’s best to start the application process as far in advance as possible. Before committing, parents should also be aware that international school fees tend to be high.
Cairo is by far the main hub for international schools in Egypt. Alexandria has a smaller selection, and expats relocating to other cities such as Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, or Luxor will find very few options.
While the benefits are usually worth the hefty price, it’s essential first to ensure that it can fit into the budget. If moving to Egypt for work purposes, it’s a good idea to try to negotiate an education allowance into the relocation contract.
Read more about the Best International Schools in Egypt.
Special educational needs in Egypt
Support for special educational needs in Egypt is still sorely lacking, even as the country has recognised the need for inclusive education. This has mostly boiled down to a lack of understanding and awareness in Egypt around special needs and disability.
That said, a new curriculum for children with special educational needs has been launched, and hopefully, this will lead to inclusive mainstream schooling where children with special educational needs receive the support they need while being taught alongside their peers.
There are several schools in Egypt specifically for children with special educational needs that parents can consider. A limited number of international schools in Egypt also offer additional support, but expat parents should find out exactly what this entails before enrolling.
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Tutors in Egypt
Parents shouldn’t struggle to find tutors in Egypt. Private tutoring is deeply embedded in Egyptian education and functions as a parallel system in its own right. For many families in the public and private school systems, tutors serve as a primary source of instruction rather than extra support.
Tutors are available for support in specific subjects, learning Arabic, or adjusting to a new curriculum. There are many tutoring companies that parents can consider, most of which offer online or at-home private tutoring.