Cairo: Nearly 500,000 school desks are set to be replaced and refurbished before the new academic year begins, as part of a comprehensive plan to upgrade educational facilities across the country. Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel Latif emphasized the importance of ensuring that all schools are fully prepared for the 2026/27 academic year, urging a thorough review of maintenance works and school readiness.
According to State Information Service Egypt, during a meeting with officials from the General Authority for Educational Buildings (GAEB), Abdel Latif reviewed the efforts to refurbish the desks, which are a key element of the ministry's broader initiative to enhance the learning environment for students in various governorates. The meeting also served to assess school readiness and the progress of educational infrastructure projects.
Abdel Latif highlighted the ministry's ongoing efforts to develop educational infrastructure as a central aspect of educational reform. Current projects include new construction, expansions, and maintenance of school facilities, all aimed at providing safe and well-equipped environments for both students and teachers. This initiative also seeks to address the immediate needs of the education system.
The minister expressed the importance of expanding classroom and school construction and upgrading existing facilities to improve the quality of education and ensure a stable academic environment from day one of the school year. The meeting assessed the status of ongoing projects and discussed future expansions to meet the capacity needs of educational districts.
A key topic of discussion was the ministry's plan to eliminate the afternoon school shift by the 2027/28 academic year. Abdel Latif reiterated the ministry's commitment to increasing school capacity through the construction of new classrooms, refurbishment of existing ones, and the overall enhancement of educational infrastructure.
The meeting also covered developments in applied technology schools, including the Egyptian-Italian and Egyptian-German Applied Technology Schools, which are part of the ministry's strategy to align education with modern skills and labor market demands. Additionally, there was a focus on expanding the Egyptian Japanese Schools system, with the number of schools expected to reach 102 by the 2026/27 academic year.
Abdel Latif emphasized the importance of ongoing follow-up on all projects and maintenance activities, ensuring they adhere to the planned timelines. This commitment reflects the ministry's dedication to improving educational models that foster discipline, teamwork, and personal development among students.