Egypt has made historic progress in providing access, increasing enrollment, and closing the gender gap in basic education.  However, the Government of Egypt (GOE) needs to improve the efficiency, quality and relevance of the education that it delivers in order to be competitive in the global economy and to be empowered citizens of a participative polity. 

USAID assistance supports the GOE to sustain improvements in student learning outcomes by improving the quality of teaching and learning, expanding equitable access, and strengthening the management and governance, all in K-12 schools, with the focus on seven governorates.  Teaching is improved through in-service teacher training; school libraries for K-12 schools nationwide; and, information technology.  USAID supports more equitable access to education through school construction in remote rural and densely populated urban areas; adult literacy; and early childhood development activities.  USAID assistance strengthens school governance and management through leadership training for school principals; the development of nationwide management information systems; and, the training of school Boards of Trustees.  Finally, support for higher education includes scholarships for undergraduates, masters' degrees and community college programs.  The current education strategy runs through September 2009.

HIGHLIGHTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

•  Using a cascade model, the Integrated English Language Program for Ministry of Education teachers and senior teachers trained 12,000 participants to improve language, teaching, testing, and educational technology skills.                                                                                                               

•  A total of 31,844 young girls and women in 17 governorates participated in literacy and life-skills classes through the USAID-sponsored New Horizons Program.

•  The IT in Schools program delivered, installed, and connected 7,550 computers to schools and training centers.  Over 39,000 students now have access to computer technology. Through this program, 2,208 teachers were trained to incorporate multi-media tools in lesson plans. 

•  USAID supports Egypt's Ministry of Education through its Education Reform Program (ERP).  EQUIP 1 under ERP promotes school-based reform by improving school quality, introducing modern teaching methods, increasing community participation, and strengthening school management.  EQUIP 2 under ERP establishes the foundation for sustainable reform by promoting educational decentralization, innovative professional development and leadership, and innovative social marketing of the systemic  reforms that the GOE is implementing.

•  Through the New School Program (NSP) USAID has expanded coverage for girls by building 70 new girls schools, and 170 classrooms, which enroll a total of 39,323 female students.  A Global Development Alliance with the Vodafone Foundation will equip and provide training for new computer centers in these new schools.

•  The National Book Program for Schools (NBPS) will provide over 25 million books for libraries and classrooms in all 39,000 public primary, preparatory, and secondary schools in Egypt.  Books range from non-fiction, to reference materials, to novels. Libraries are 80% in Arabic and 20% in English language.

•  "Alam Simsim," the Egyptian "Sesame Street," introduces millions of Egyptian youth to early literacy and numeracy as well as the concept of tolerance.  More than 85% of Egyptian children under age 8 regularly view the program. By the end of USAID assistance,  350 half-hour "Alam Simsim" television programs will be created.

•  The Leadership in Education and Development (LEAD) Scholarships program provides scholarships for socio-economically disadvantaged Egyptians, one male and female from each of the 27 governorates, to attend the American University in Cairo (AUC). To date, 158 students have received full scholarships.

•  USAID contributes 1/4 of the total cost of constructing the American University in Cairo's new campus.  This will allow AUC to expand and upgrade its programs, making it a world-class facility.

•  Based on the Egyptian national education standards, the School Team Excellence Award Program (STEAP) motivates teachers and communities to set higher standards for themselves and their schools.  75,000 teacher and school awards will be given out over the course of two years.