Ashraf AboArafe
Today, the Egyptian Ministry of Education, represented by His Excellency Minister Reda Hegazy, and the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by Mr. Ralph Beste, Director of the Department of Culture and Society at the German Foreign Ministry, and German Ambassador Frank Hartmann, signed a memorandum of understanding at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Education’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital to establish up to 100 Egyptian-German schools.
The declaration of intent is another milestone in the close, long-standing educational cooperation between Germany and Egypt. Under this agreement, both countries would like to combine the best of their respective education systems. The plan aims to establish approximately 100 schools of a distinct type in various parts of Egypt, benefiting from German educational experience as well as providing methodological and educational support under Egyptian responsibility. During their educational journey until they reach high school, students receive a comprehensive set of courses that include intensive language training in German and English. Values such as access to education, non-discrimination, tolerance, personal responsibility and critical thinking should also be part of the school concept. Egypt is building the schools itself, and the establishment of this new type of school is accompanied by a mixed Egyptian-German advisory committee. The development of this new type of school will be followed up by a mixed Egyptian-German advisory committee.
It is worth noting that the main actors here are the Goethe-Institut and the Central Administration for German Schools outside Germany (ZfA). Based on their many years of work in Egypt, experts from the Goethe-Institut and from the central administration of German schools outside Germany will develop quality standards and educational concepts alongside Egyptian partners. In this context, the support provided in the field of teacher training and continuing their education will play a prominent role.
Through this declaration of intent, Germany and Egypt would like to build on the close cooperation in the field of education that has existed for decades and contribute further to achieving understanding and strengthening friendship between the two peoples. In the long term, the benefit will not only be for students, but also for the economy, culture and society in both countries.
* Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut has long been working to provide support in the field of language teaching and the transmission of German culture through a close partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Education. Within the framework of this educational cooperation, nearly 2,000 German teachers in Egypt and more than 2,000 schools where German is taught as a foreign language benefited from the advice provided by the Goethe Institute and its training courses.
The Central Administration for German Schools Outside Germany is responsible for promoting German school work abroad through specialized advice and quality management. In Egypt, the central administration provides advice and support to the seven German schools abroad, in addition to the schools that offer the German language diploma. It also offers a training program for Egyptian teachers.
