InfoAnda - Egypt's education system needs an overhaul

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Oil dips to near $43 as investors eye OPEC cuts | 9 December 2008
S.Korea freezes key interest rate for 9th month | 12 November 2009
Tunisia police use tear gas on Islamist protesters | | 10 October 2011

Eight U.S. tourists killed in Egypt crash: report | | 27 December 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Egypt's education system needs an overhaul

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Egypt's education system needs an overhaul Reuters - Thursday, October 7 Send IM Story Print By Marwa Awad and Alexander Dziadosz CAIRO - Sawsan Gomaa, 18, thought memorising vocabulary and grammar from the ministry textbook would be enough to ace Egypt's yearly national language exam for high school graduates, the main gateway to university. After all, that's how everyone did it. But this year's exam took her by surprise, requiring tough translations and idiomatic phrases not taught in class. She was caught out by what experts say are disjointed education reforms that have changed exams but not teaching methods. "These questions were definitely not from the curriculum we studied," a tearful Gomaa said. Egypt's secondary education needs an overhaul, teachers and employers say. High school teaching, based mostly on rote, does not give students practical skills, leaving them unprepared for college and hindering their transition to the workplace. If the Arab world's most populous country is to extend a run of economic growth, now edging back to 6 percent a year, the roughly 300,000 university graduates churned out annually must be better prepared. "Improving the quality of education is the number one factor that needs immediate attention. There is a unified call in Egypt for improving primary and secondary education to prepare people for the workforce," said Angus Blair, head of research at investment bank Beltone Financial. Overcrowded classrooms, poor attendance and a lack of good libraries or office space for teachers are problems that run through the system from the earliest years to final classes. Facilities like computers and science labs are often rundown if they exist at all in state schools. Frustrated parents scrimp and save to pay for private tutorials. Teachers, who usually earn no more than 1,600 Egyptian pounds $281 a month, often rely on that extra income. The government admits problems but says it will take time. "School textbooks really need to be updated. There are many problems in education and we are putting in place plans to gradually resolve them. But we cannot solve these problems overnight," Education Minister Ahmed Zaki Badr told a parliament committee, the official news agency reported. Nawal Saadawi, a government critic who has drawn threats from Islamists for her views in the past, says religious dogma had permeated some schools in Egypt, where she said the beliefs of conservative-minded teachers can seep into the curriculum. Religion has a modest place in the school timetable. Parents and teachers say the curriculum covers maths, science and other core subjects but these are based on facts to learn not problems to solve. Memorisation has long been the key to final school exams that determine what a student can study at university. EXAM PANIC "National exams in Egypt are based on specific lessons taken from textbooks in the last two years of high school. SATs, however, test the student's ability to draw inferences and think critically," Laila Iskandar, an education consultant, said. Deviations in exam questions from expected memorised material can ignite panic among students. In June, local media reported scenes of hysteria as students like Gomaa emerged from exam centres in disbelief. In an effort at reform, the Education Ministry had inserted new questions aimed at pushing students to think beyond memorised material. Girls fainted in their mothers' arms while outraged fathers screamed and hurled insults at examiners. One newspaper said ambulances were called in to treat traumatised students. Asking more challenging questions may be an essential part of reforms, but instructors say it is pointless adding them unless methods are reformed first. "For decades now, the student's way to success has been memorising material that will ensure passing the exam. No thinking is required, just commitment to a set of rules," said Refaat Ibrahim, a high school teacher in Alexandria. "Suddenly, these students must think creatively. Of course they will fail." The picture does not improve once students get to university, where they face overcrowded lectures, underpaid professors and outdated textbooks. So when they enter the workforce, they don't have the skills for jobs in banking or technology, the kind of fields where Egypt is seeking to become a regional power centre. SKILLS GAP The United Nations Development Programme's 2010 Human Development Report highlighted the weaknesses in university education, saying more than 40 percent of employers ranked graduates' ability to apply their knowledge to work as "poor." The UNDP report said at least 90 percent of Egypt's unemployed were under 30, saying this was "high by any measure." Many youth resorted to the informal market indicating the mismatch between education and labour market needs, it added. Indicating weaknesses in the system, Egypt had no universities in the 2010 Academic Ranking of World Universities, a ranking of the top 500 institutions. In rival markets, South Africa had three, Saudi Arabia had two and Turkey had one. Cairo University was in the bottom fifth of the list in 2007 but was bumped out the next year. It has not reappeared since. "Compare new graduates in Egypt to their counterparts, say, in Pakistan, and you'll find the latter are way ahead on capacities to use technology and critical thinking skills in higher-skilled jobs," Simon Kitchen, an economist at investment bank EFG-Hermes, said. Many international companies in Egypt pay for training programmes to teach university graduates technical and language abilities they say should have been learned in college or that they must pay a premium to secure qualified recruits. The government is trying to narrow the gap, including a $10-12 million programme set up by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency in 2008 to teach university students English, Microsoft software and other skills. The EduEgypt programme trained 3,000 students in its first year, and aims to train 40,000 graduates per year by 2011, according to information from ITIDA, a Communications Ministry body set up to promote and nurture Egypt's offshoing industry. EduEgypt is due to be replaced within a few years by a broader programme that includes curriculum developed by IBM and other firms. Oracle and Microsoft have also been involved in helping develop education programmes. Still, the current pool of trainees who benefit from such programmes is small compared to the hundreds of thousands graduates each year, leaving most scrambling to catch up. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles UN envoys put spotlight on Sudan conflict fears AFP - 1 hour 6 minutes ago Ethiopia frees opposition leader AFP - Thursday, October 7 Spanish PM asks Venezuela to probe suspected ETA training AFP - 23 minutes ago UK-World Summary Reuters - 33 minutes ago Abortion takes center stage in Brazil presidential vote AFP - 50 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Erotic calendar wishes 'Happy Birthday, Mr Putin' IMF warns global recovery might not be sustained Fitch cuts Ireland's debt ratings Carbon atom pioneers share Nobel chemistry prize German industrial orders surge in August More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Dracula fish, bald bird among strange new species Global marine life census charts vast world beneath the seas Hungary scrambles to contain toxic mud spill Wall Street at five-month high Kenzo's birthday show whisks Paris back in time More Most Viewed » US state executes first woman in nearly 100 years Workers swarm Europe's streets in anti-cuts protests Global marine life census charts vast world beneath the seas More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Thursday, 7 October 2010
US report criticizes Pakistani Al-Qaeda fight
Erotic calendar wishes 'Happy Birthday, Mr Putin'
Schwarzenegger to lead tech delegation to Russia
Saudi Arabia opens its doors to pilgrim tourists
US-TECH Summary
British embassy car attacked, Frenchman shot dead in Yemen
Dancing Israeli soldier video goes viral
IMF warns global recovery might not be sustained
Verizon to sell Apple iPhone from early 2011: WSJ
Egypt's education system needs an overhaul
Fitch cuts Ireland's debt ratings
Kenny Chesney Earns Sixth Billboard #1 Album With "Hemingway's Whiskey"
Verizon Wireless lays out high-speed service plans
Carbon atom pioneers share Nobel chemistry prize
5 Afghan children among 9 dead in Kandahar blasts
“A Conversation With President Obama” To Air On MTV, BET, CMT
Chinese, Afghan activists lead race for Peace Nobel |
First residents move into UAE's 'renewable city'
German Muslims must obey law, not sharia: Merkel |
Cisco unveils home videoconference systems
Ecuador's Correa rules out shutting Congress for now |
Microsoft acquires applications monitor AVIcode
5 Afghan children among 9 killed Kandahar blasts
Doctor, gang-raped in Sudan's Darfur, wins rights award |
Dancing Israeli soldier video goes viral
9 killed, 26 wounded in 2nd day of Kandahar blasts
Motorola looking to take bite out of Blackberry
Ex-Philippine leader answers corruption charge
Motorola looking to take bite out of Blackberry
'I don't hate Red Shirts,' says new Thai army chief
Carbon atom pioneers share Nobel chemistry prize
Japan PM congratulates Nobel chemistry winners
Philippine minister scolded over condom plan
German Wagner fest cancels invitation to Israelis: report
Four dead in Vietnam fireworks blast: government
US astronaut excited about upcoming space mission
Film simulates Afghan capture of Prince Harry
Verizon to sell Apple iPhone from early 2011: report |
Thai government will decide Viktor Bout's fate
India's most expensive film sets box-office record
Facebook unveils groups, tightens user control |
Cisco unveils home videoconference systems |
Obama Approves Solar Panels For White House
Mom Who Duct-Taped Toddler To Wall Has Custody Of Child Again
Verizon Wireless lays out high-speed service plans |
Customers Urge Boycott Of Frito-Lay For Scrapping Compostable Bags
Kenny Chesney Earns Sixth Billboard #1 Album With "Hemingway's Whiskey"
Asian growth needs stronger currencies: IMF
"Glee" Planning To Tackle Gay Suicide In Episode
Good Samaritan Gives Chase, Rescues Kidnapped Young Girl
Will Smith's "Hitch" Getting TV Adaptation
Detroit Symphony Strikes Over Pay, Pension Cuts
Indian education firm Career Point soars on listing
Japan's ruling party proposes huge stimulus plan
Project Runways Tim Gunn reveals early suicide bid |
Memorials, merchandise for Lennon 70th anniversary |
Netanyahu seeks loyalty oath to Jewish nation-state
Medvedev visits Cyprus amid Russian investment boom
Doctor, gang-raped in Sudan's Darfur, wins rights award
Facebook unveils "groups," tightens user control
NATO says Afghan war not hurt by supply route woes |
Spanish PM asks Venezuela to probe suspected ETA training
Peru mines nutrient-rich bird excrement on islands
UK considers delay to some spending cuts: report
Facebook lets users form groups and download data
Israel bombs Hamas base in Gaza, no one hurt |
Hungary says clean-up of toxic spill could take a year
Logitech unveils Google TV boxes
IMF warns global recovery might not be sustained
U.N.'s Ban urges no interference in Hariri probe |
Logitech unveils first gadget for Google TV
'Pope week' on Facebook
Netanyahu seeks loyalty oath to Jewish nation-state |
Sprint to offer app packs on Android phones
Assad says peace chances with Israel up in the air |
Motorola sues Apple for patent infringement
Paraguay president arrives home after hospital stay |
Young women dare to bare in army-ruled Myanmar
Trained extremists heading to Europe: security sources
Puerto Rico police, others arrested in drug busts |
Sony bars Netflix from 28-day access to some films
US astronaut excited about upcoming space mission
Monkey kills baby in snatch attack in Malaysia
Stars and fans gather for top Asian film festival
US lawmakers press Obama on Chinese dissidents
Lady Gaga "more powerful" than Nancy Pelosi: Forbes
Motorola sues Apple for patent infringement
N.Korea's heir apparent makes fresh public appearance
U.S. report questions Pakistani efforts against Qaeda
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Ozaki voted into World Golf Hall of Fame
Facebook unveils groups, tightens user control |
Sony bars Netflix from 28-day access to some films
Sea Shepherd, whaling protester in NZ public spat
Logitech unveils first gadget for Google TV |
US official sees signs of inter-Korean engagement
"Jersey Boys" in tune with movie adaptation
Samsung faces weak outlook on flat screens, TVs |
Sprint to offer app packs on Android phones |
Stars and fans gather for top Asian film festival
Lady Gaga "more powerful" than Nancy Pelosi: Forbes
Sandra Bullock in negotiations to star in "Gravity"
Tech execs tell White House IT can curb deficit |
"Iron Man 2" sells more than 1 million DVDs in one day
Seoul shares down;Samsung Elec falls after guidance
Director John McTiernan prepares to appeal sentence
Western markets demand drop hit Samsung profits
Kenny Chesney claims sixth No. 1 on U.S. album chart
Beatles, Lady Gaga memorabilia in online auction
Chinese company pleads guilty to US HGH charge
US gives go-ahead for Japan airline alliances
China's Wen hits back at Japan in rare earths row
Europe demands China budge on currency
Lady Gaga more powerful than Nancy Pelosi: Forbes |
David Fincher updates status on Social Network |
Iron Man 2 sells more than 1 million DVDs in one day |
Sandra Bullock in negotiations to star in Gravity |
Beatles, Lady Gaga memorabilia in online auction |
Jersey Boys in tune with movie adaptation |
Sony bars Netflix from 28-day access to some films |
Kenny Chesney claims sixth No. 1 on U.S. album chart |
Director John McTiernan prepares to appeal sentence |
Tech execs tell White House IT can curb deficit
South Sudan might have to hold own referendum
Hungarian sludge spill reaches Danube river |
Panasonic developing handheld games console: report
Blasts kill at least 7 in Pakistan's Karachi |
No serious talks with Netanyahu seen
Mario Vargas Llosa wins Nobel Literature Prize
Panasonic working on handheld game player: source
Peruvian writer Vargas Llosa wins literature Nobel |
Dollar slides against euro, yen
Karzai inaugurates Afghan peace council
Samsung faces weak outlook on flat screens, TVs
Siemens bags Eurostar order for London-Paris route
Ahmadinejad thanks Pope for condemning Koran burning
Britney Helps “Glee” Cast Overtake Beatles Record
Vatican synod mulls Middle East Christian exodus |
M and S sales jump in second quarter
NATO says Taliban leader killed in air strike
Games backs safe sex despite plumbing problems
Sudan attacks Darfur rebels hours before U.N. visit |
8 Taliban killed by NATO as war enters 10th year
Sarkozy makes gesture as austerity protests grow |
Taliban commander, 7 others killed in NATO attack
Afghanistan, US 'in contact with Haqqani insurgents'
Samsung faces weak outlook on flat screens, TVs
EU energy chief plans deepwater drilling ban |
British TV to screen Prince Harry kidnap drama
Poor countries neglect mentally ill: U.N. agency |
NATO eyes Pakistan supply resumption after apology
Dengue fever spreading in Asia
Some 200 Bangladesh fishermen missing in storm |
U.N.'s Ban urges no interference in Hariri probe
China plans escape from economic binds
Delhi loses stomach for fight, Aussies in cycling best
Six missing off Malaysia after boat collision
Japan's 'Shadow Shogun' vows to fight law suit
Stars and fans gather for top Asian film festival
Pool quality probed as Delhi Games swimmers fall ill
Philippine journalists given security handbook
Kyrgyz candidate warns of rent hike for US base
Panasonic working on handheld game player: source |
Pakistan's forex reserves jump to record $16.99 bln
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee firms; o/n rates down
Seattle Man Launches $10 Million Fundraising Campaign To Get Weezer To Break Up
Taiwan c.bank inspecting banks' forward trading-source
Whitman Campaign Spending Now At $140 Million As Early Voting Begins
PREVIEW-Pakistan's Sept CPI seen up 14.95 pct
Illinois Man Previously Charged With Threatening President Indicted For Bomb Hoax
U.S. Apologizes To Pakistan Over Killing Soldiers In Helicopter Raid
Taiwan c.bank: intervention spending "very little"
Yoko Ono Set To Judge Special John Lennon Songwriting Contest
Researchers Say Some Herbal Supplements Can Treat Anxiety
Taiwan dollar hits 27-mth closing high; cbank acts
U.S. Life Expectancy Rates Lagging Behind Other Countries
World Leaders To Commit $11.7 Billion Against AIDS, Killer Diseases
S.Korea's STX Heavy Industries builds Saudi plants
U.S. Avoids Labeling Pakistan "State Sponsoring Terrorism" After Musharraf Admission
Bravo's "The Fashion Show" Back For Season Two -- With A Twist
S.Korea to seek parliamentary OK for EU trade deal
Daihatsu to recall 900,000 mini-cars in Japan
Indonesian noodle giant sizzles on market debut
Peruvian writer Vargas Llosa wins literature Nobel |
Singer Lily Allen wins damages from soccer magazine |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01