Crunching the numbers

Minister of Higher Education Mufid Shehab talks to Al-Ahram Weekly about making the most of a flawed system
When it comes to the inherent flaws in Egypt's system of placing students in universities throughout the country, Minister of Higher Education Mufid Shehab knows all the arguments. Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly last week following a press conference to announce the results of the first stage of the Enrolment Coordination Office's (ECO) distribution plan, Shehab stressed that the ministry's main concern was a viable system.
"We have to agree that there is no ideal system for enrolling high school graduates in universities anywhere in the world," Shehab told the Weekly. "Our system -- distributing students among the various universities through the Enrolment Coordination Office -- remains the most realistic method in handling [Egypt's] vast and growing numbers of university applicants."
Shehab admits that the current system, which relies wholly on a student's results in the thanawiyya amma exam (the general secondary education certificate taken by all graduating students), is far from perfect. "This system can be unjust to some students," he said. "For example, a student who got a score in the thanawiyya amma that would not allow him to apply to medical school, may well have the potential to become a brilliant doctor. At the same time, another student with an appropriate grade will be admitted, but fail, because he lacks the aptitude for such studies."
According to the current enrolment system, the thanawiyya amma is the only criteria used to determine the faculty or institution a student can apply to. Though the rigidity of the system has been the focus of much controversy in recent years, alternative methods of university acceptance, such as evaluation exams, are not under consideration. And though he openly admits the failings of the current system, Shehab remains a staunch supporter.
"We are talking about approximately a quarter of a million students every year. How could we organise such a process?" demands Shehab. He added that opening the door for application tests would mean that "entry will be subject to personal favours." His reservation was echoed by the ministry's top officials, who were standing nearby. Though it is limited in scope, argues Shehab, the application system still has one significant virtue: equal opportunity.
"When faced with such large numbers, it is difficult to come up with a system capable of ensuring equal opportunities for all students," he said. "We have been working with the current distribution system for a long time, and I still believe that it is satisfactory as far as the vast majority of people are concerned."
The Supreme Council of Universities, which is presided over by Shehab, announced that it enrolled some 234,500 high school graduates in universities -- about 75 per cent of the total graduates for this year. This is almost an eight per cent increase over last year's total. The other 25 per cent will be distributed among public and private higher learning institutes. Shehab explained that a pledge by the government to grant a seat to all high school graduates in either a university or a higher studies institute was the reason behind the increase.
The government's policy makes for a difficult mandate. Many students know next to nothing about the faculties they apply to beyond their names and the scores they need to get in. Some education experts have suggested distributing guide books that would explain not only the studies of each faculty, but also the types of job opportunities available to graduates. Shehab says it's "a good idea, which will be studied and scrutinised [by the ministry]." In the meantime, he added, the ECO issues a student guide book that lists the names and locations of universities, their faculties and sections. "We know, however, that this is not enough," he said.
Another hot issue on Shehab's desk these days is the role of private universities in absorbing high-school graduates. Last week, following a four-hour meeting with the representatives of private universities, the ministry set a minimum score for admission at these schools: 80 per cent for those graduating with a specialisation in science and 65 per cent for graduates specialising in literature and humanities.
"We came up with this decision to raise the quality of students in private universities," Shehab explained. When asked whether this could impact on private universities financially, Shehab stressed that the private universities' main objective should not be profit. "They must strike a balance between high standards and money-making," he said, pointing out that private universities understand the ministry's interest in upholding their educational standards and reputation. "A parent would be very reluctant to send his son or daughter to a university that accepts students who obtained a mere 55 per cent," he said.
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