the research and innovation system in egypt - ARTI Puglia

skills needed for a successful practical life. Students may attend non-government private
schools, religious schools, or government schools. Primary schools enroll 60 percent of
the total school population for all levels of schooling in Egypt. Approximately 45 percent
of the primary students are girls, and the majority of primary teachers are women. English
and French private schools are growing in popularity as bilingualism gives children
social and academic privileges and later lucrative employment. Primary schools served
7,5 million students in 1995-1996. In the same year, the Al-Azhar Moslem system served
704.446 students in 1.912 primary schools with another 147.762 students enrolled in 1.030
preparatory schools.
Preparatory Education: An important function of preparatory education is to provide a
safeguard against illiteracy as early school dropouts tend to lapse back into illiteracy. The
enrollments in preparatory schools in the 1990s totaled 3.679.325, less than half that of the
primary schools. Preparatory schools reflect the attrition occurring in the final primary year.
3.3. High School Education
The second tier of compulsory education (grades 7 through 9) lasts for three years.
Students completing the primary part of basic education can complete the second part
in general preparatory schools, in vocational training centers or schools, or in vocational
preparatory classes. Completion of this stage earns the Basic Education Completion
Certificate or the Certificate in Vocational Basic Education. There are two types of public
secondary education: general secondary education and technical secondary education.
To enter general secondary education, students must pass a national exam given at the
end of their preparatory stage. Secondary schools conduct examinations every month for
the first two years, and students take a national exam in the final year. Those who pass
receive the Certificate of General Secondary Education, a requirement for admission to the
universities (accompanied by a strong academic record). A wide range of social, cultural,
athletic, scientific, and artistic extra-curricular activities are available in secondary
schools, usually sponsored by the teachers. Enrollment expanded significantly between
1990-1991 and 1994-1995 in secondary school (47 percent in general secondary and 85
percent in technical-vocational secondary). In 1994-1995, general secondary enrollment
reached 894.400 students, while technical-vocational enrollment was more than twice as
high at 1.893.800 students. In 1996 secondary school enrollment included 68 percent of
the appropriate age group (boys, 71 percent; girls, 64 percent). In 1995-1996 there were
2.753 secondary schools with 6.142.651 students and 369.107 teachers.
In the parallel Islamic educational system, known as the Al-Azhar system, girls and
boys attend separate schools. In 1995-1996, the Al-Azhar Moslem system operated 57
secondary schools with 165.829 students. The curriculum is identical to the normal
public curriculum with additional study of the Quran and Islamic sciences. Graduates are
automatically accepted into Al-Azhar University.
Special Education: In the year 2000 approximately 10 to 12 percent of pre-university
students were special education students. Responsibility for the physically challenged
is shared by the Ministry of Education (concerned with the education of the blind and
30 the research and innovation system in Egypt