The United Kingdom announced a 12 million GBP to support education reform in Egypt through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the British embassy said on Monday. In a press release, the UK Embassy in Cairo said the UK fund will include support for teacher training, through the ministry's flagship education programme, and support children's education in governorates across the country. “I am proud that once again the UK is at the forefront of supporting Egypt's development and growth. This fund sends a global message of support to the future generations of this country and will help the Egyptian government turn its education reform vision into a reality," Middle East Minister Hon Alistair Burt, said. The British Ambassador to Egypt Sir Geoffrey Adams said an investment in Egyptian youth is an investment in Egypt's future, stressing that education was a central element to this. "That is why the UK is committed to support Egypt in implementing its education reform plans so that Egyptian students all over the country are equipped with knowledge and skills they need to succeed," the ambassador said. Egypt has been working on improving the quality of learning and adopting technology as a vehicle to achieve its educational reform objectives. Last April, the World Bank announced a $500 million investment in Egypt's five-year education reforms. The project supported by the World Bank will expand access to quality kindergarten for around 500,000 children, train 500,000 teachers and education officials, while providing 1.5 million students and teachers with digital learning resources. The education reform programme is aligned with Egypt's “2030 Vision” sustainable development strategy, which puts a strong emphasis on the critical role of education sector reform in the country's social transformation.
