The Egyptian Ministry of Education and Technical Education has announced that it will implement continuous assessment for students taking the middle school certificate, starting from the 2027/2028 academic year. This decision was made to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of students' performance throughout the academic year. The new system aims to assess students' progress and development over time, rather than relying solely on final exams.
Under the new system, 20% of the total marks for the middle school certificate will be allocated to continuous assessment, which is equivalent to 56 degrees out of 280. The remaining 80%, or 224 degrees, will be allocated to exams taken at the end of each semester. This change is part of the amendments to the Education Law and is intended to provide a more balanced evaluation of students' abilities.
The continuous assessment component will be divided into four categories, each accounting for 5% of the total marks. These categories include attendance and punctuality, weekly evaluations, behavior and discipline, and homework and classwork. The weekly evaluations will be conducted through periodic tests held throughout the semester, while behavior and discipline will be assessed based on the school's rules and regulations.
The Ministry of Education emphasized that the new system will be applied to students who are currently in their second year of middle school and will be moving to their third year in the 2027/2028 academic year. This means that the new system will not affect students who are currently taking the middle school certificate exams. The Ministry aims to provide a more accurate assessment of students' abilities and to encourage them to develop good study habits and a strong work ethic.
The decision to implement continuous assessment was made to address concerns about the current examination system, which has been criticized for being too focused on rote memorization and not enough on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By introducing continuous assessment, the Ministry hopes to encourage students to develop a deeper understanding of the subjects they are studying and to think more critically and creatively.
The Ministry of Education has stated that it will provide support and resources to schools to help them implement the new system effectively. This will include training for teachers on how to conduct continuous assessments and how to provide feedback to students. The Ministry also plans to monitor the implementation of the new system closely and to make adjustments as needed.
The introduction of continuous assessment for middle school students is part of a broader effort to reform the education system in Egypt. The Ministry of Education aims to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive education that prepares students for success in their future careers and in life. By introducing continuous assessment, the Ministry hopes to provide a more accurate and fair evaluation of students' abilities and to encourage them to reach their full potential.
Key points
- The Egyptian Ministry of Education will implement continuous assessment for middle school students starting from the 2027/2028 academic year.
- The continuous assessment component will account for 20% of the total marks for the middle school certificate.
- The new system will be applied to students who are currently in their second year of middle school and will be moving to their third year in the 2027/2028 academic year.
