Egypt spent LE 896.1 billion on education this decade: official statistical agency

CAIRO – 25 September 2020: Figures by Egypt’s official statistical agency have shown that the country has spent LE 896.1 billion on education over the past 10 years, with 2019/2020 winning the lion’s share.

Throughout 2019 and 2020, the country has spent LE 132 billion on education, down from LE 115.7 billion in the financial year 2018/2019, LE 107.1 billion in 2017/2018, LE 104 billion in 2016/2017, LE 99.3 billion in 2015/2016 and LE 99.4 billion in 2014/2015, figures by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) revealed.

These years mark the tenure of current President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

In 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, which included the January 25 revolution and consequent turmoil, LE 47.1 billion and LE 51.8 billion respectively went to education. Allocations significantly rose in the following year to reach LE 64 billion and rose by more than 26 percent in 2013/2014 to reach LE 80.9 billion.

Pre-university education in 2019/2020 got LE 81.4 billion of the allocations, against LE 32.6 billion for university education.

2019: The year of education

CAIRO - 4 March 2019: The educational system in Egypt was in dire need of radical changes; a swept renewal for all old traditional curricula. Traditional curricula that depended mainly on memorizing to get high marks and join prestigious faculties go in vain; as they bring up empty-minded generations.

Earlier in September, Egypt has issued a citizens budget guide for the years 2020-2021, confirming a rise in government spending on education and health to 6 percent and 3 percent of the gross domestic product respectively, an official statement read, quoting Finance Minister Mohamed Maeet.

Concerning education, the rise will contribute to funding several projects, including a major project to fund pre-university education. The budget also includes university projects, including establishing six new technological universities and five non-profit government universities and completing preparations in some other universities.

According to the guide, LE 1.5 billion (about $95.1 million) was allocated to improve the situation of teachers and teaching supervisors in the first school years. Another LE 1.5 billion were allocated for the Ministry of Higher Education’s initiative to improve the situation of teaching staff in universities, institutes and research authorities.