The Egyptian Ministry of Education has announced the launch of group tutoring sessions for public school students as an alternative to private tutoring. This initiative aims to improve students' academic performance and provide affordable educational support. According to Ministerial Decision No. 149 of 2024, these group sessions will be available for all students in public schools, including those taking national exams. The decision seeks to address the issue of private tutoring, which has become a widespread phenomenon in Egypt.
The group tutoring sessions will be optional for all students, and the number of students per group will not exceed 25. The sessions will be held outside regular school hours, including weekends, and will not last more than two hours per week. Schools will determine the schedule for these sessions and announce it at least a week in advance. The sessions will be led by teachers from the school or other schools within the same administrative area, with the option to hire external teachers if necessary.
The decision allows schools to set the fees for these group sessions in coordination with the school's board of trustees and parents. The fees will not exceed 100 Egyptian pounds per student per session. A portion of the fees will be allocated to the Ministry of Finance, while the remaining amount will be distributed among the teachers, the teachers' union, and the school's social care fund.
In addition to the standard group sessions, the Ministry has introduced "excellence groups" with a maximum of 10 students. These groups will have the option to add a performance bonus for the teachers, not exceeding 50 Egyptian pounds. The Ministry aims to provide high-quality educational support while controlling costs.
According to the Ministry, the revenue generated from the group sessions will be distributed as follows: 80% to the teachers, 5% to the teachers' union, 5% to the social care fund, 2% for maintenance and operational costs, 1.5% to the school principal, 1.5% to the supervisors, and 1.5% to the administrative staff.
The group tutoring sessions are set to begin with the start of the new academic year. The Ministry has emphasized that these sessions are designed to provide students with additional academic support, particularly for those who may be struggling. By offering these sessions, the Ministry hopes to reduce the reliance on private tutoring and provide a more equitable learning environment.
The initiative has been welcomed by parents and students, who see it as a positive step towards addressing the issue of private tutoring. With the new academic year underway, students and parents are eager to take advantage of these group tutoring sessions and improve their academic performance. The Ministry's efforts to provide affordable educational support are expected to have a positive impact on the Egyptian education system.
Key points
- The Egyptian Ministry of Education has launched group tutoring sessions as an alternative to private tutoring for public school students.
- The group sessions will be optional and will not exceed 25 students per group.
- The fees for the group sessions will not exceed 100 Egyptian pounds per student per session.
