Egypt’s education minister stresses adherence to Sept. 6, 12 school start dates

CAIRO – 16 August 2026: Egypt’s Education Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif stressed adherence to the 2026-27 academic calendar, which starts September 12 at public schools and September 6 at international schools.

Abdel Latif made the remarks during an expanded meeting with around 4,500 school principals, education directorate and administration officials from 21 governorates to review preparations for the new academic year.

The meeting sought to assess school readiness and address challenges that could affect the smooth start of classes.

Classroom Density, Literacy

Abdel Latif said the ministry has increased the number of actual school days to 183, up from 116 in previous years, bringing the school calendar more in line with practices followed by education systems in several countries.

 

On classroom density, Abdel Latif said it is unacceptable for a class to have more than 50 students, adding that schools nationwide have complied with the specified limits.

He also highlighted progress in improving students’ reading and writing skills.

Three rounds of assessments showed the proportion of students with weak literacy skills falling from around 45% in the first round to 13% in the third, according to the latest United Nations reports, he said.

The minister stressed that no primary school student should lack basic reading and writing skills, describing literacy as a foundation for developing students’ personalities and enabling them to continue learning throughout their education.

Egyptian Baccalaureate

Regarding the Egyptian Baccalaureate system, Abdel Latif said ministerial decisions governing the system will be announced soon.

 

He added that the curricula for the second year of the baccalaureate had been completed, with their educational frameworks reviewed and approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

The curricula will be made available on the Education Ministry’s official website within days, he said.

Financial Literacy, AI

Financial literacy will be taught as an activity for second-year baccalaureate students, introducing them to basic concepts including stock exchanges, shares and startups, the minister said.

The subject is intended to help students develop financial awareness and general knowledge relevant to working life.

Abdel Latif also emphasized teaching programming and artificial intelligence, saying the subjects will help develop students’ thinking and problem-solving abilities while equipping them with skills suited to the demands of the modern era.

Religious Education

On religious education, the minister directed schools to schedule religious education classes among the first four periods of the school day, underscoring the role of religious, ethical and human values in shaping students’ character and promoting positive behavior and discipline within schools.

 

He also stressed the importance of planting trees and maintaining green spaces at schools to help create a healthy and stimulating learning environment.