Egyptian Education Flaws 1

Egyptian Education Flaws

Elizabeth D. Harney
Arizona State University

Egyptian Education Flaws 2

Egyptians do not hold literacy and education as a high as the United States. In the United
States, only one percent of people are illiterate which remains consistent between males and
females. Egyptians, however, have a much higher distribution between illiterate males and
illiterate females. Overall, 28 percent of Egyptians are illiterate (Keddie, 2013). This widespread
lack of importance placed on literacy is caused directly by Egypts poor education system.
Egypts education system suffers due to a variety of major issues which are caused by the
countrys economic system.
Egypts major education problem comes from economic issues. Egyptian schools are not
funded heavily by the government, therefore they must rely majorly on shareholders (A to Z,
n.d.). Due to the independent funding, public schools are viewed as profitable investments rather
than focusing on childrens best interest. As a result, many public schools charge tuition. Public
tuition is not based on income level per family but it set at a fixed rate. Many families are unable
to pay this tuition, even if it seems low. The government does not offer subsidies to poor families
which cannot afford this tuition (A to Z, n.d). Consequently, many impoverished children are
unable to attend school due to lack of funds. Students who are able to attend school likely find
school a waste of time. Due to the low pay, teachers are often forced to hold secondary jobs
which leave them overworked, exhausted, and impatient. In addition, these over worked teachers
are often also under educated and unable to efficiently teach. Another result of poor funding is
the lack of materials in schools, which are subpar (Keddie, 2013). As demonstrated in figure 1,
the standard Egyptian school has few books and completely lack technology. This leaves
students far below their global peers. The economic issues of the Egyptian school system are vast
and virtually never ending.

Egyptian Education Flaws 3

Class size is a significant factor in the success of students. With smaller class sizes,
teachers are able to more efficiently focus on each childs individual learning style and needs. By
increasing the class size, one on one time with each student is decreased significantly. According
to a study performed by the National Education Policy Center, predominately minority and lowincome schools are more negatively affected by large class size (Schanzenbach, 2014). As seen
in figure 2, Egyptian schools are plagued with overcrowding. Due to the low-income of the
school, this overcrowding has an even more negative effect on the students learning than it
would in the United States.
Unfortunately, Egypt does not anticipate an increase in funding for their schools system.
The status of education in Egypt holds a bleak future.
Figure 1

Poor Classroom Quality

Figure 2

Overcrowding in the Classroom

Egyptian Education Flaws 4

References
A to Z reasons why Egypts education system is lacking. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2014,
from
http://egyptianstreets.com/2013/12/15/a-to-z-reasons-why-egypts-education-system-is-lacking

Keddie, P. (2013, January 13). Inside Egypt's dismal primary schools. Retrieved October 16,
2014

Parry, S. (2014, January 1). Swales Parry - Photography. Retrieved October 16, 2014, from
http://www.swalesparryphotography.com/gallery.php?s=9&i=122

Whitemore Schanzenbach, D. (2014, February 1). Does Class Size Matter? Retrieved October
16, 2014.