Egypt plans to increase public investment in the education sector to 61 billion Egyptian pounds in the 2025/26 fiscal year, up from 56 billion pounds this year, the Planning Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The planned 9 per cent increase in funding comes amid a broader national strategy to overhaul the country's education system, expand access, and enhance workforce readiness. The move will also support Egypt's middle class and accelerate digital transformation in schools, the statement added. Minister of Planning and Economic Development Rania Al-Mashat met with Minister of Education Mohamed Abdel Latif to review the investment roadmap under the country's economic and social development plan. Minister Al-Mashat said the government is prioritising education as a cornerstone of human development, with increased funding targeting all levels of education, including technical and vocational training. "Public investment in education is key to building human capital and responding to the evolving needs of the labour market," she said, highlighting plans to expand access, improve quality, and support digital transformation in the sector. The new investment plan includes building additional classrooms, upgrading existing schools—especially in underserved areas—and reducing classroom overcrowding. It also aims to expand access to competitive, high-quality schools catering to the middle class. A key element of the plan is the expansion of applied technology schools through public-private partnerships, a step designed to produce graduates with skills tailored to Egypt's evolving economic landscape. Minister Latif said the pre-university education system remains "a pillar of sustainable development," stressing the importance of curriculum reform and tech-driven learning. "We are focused on preparing students with the technical and technological skills needed to contribute to economic productivity," he said. As part of its broader education modernisation strategy, the government will also assess the impact of digital learning tools and their impact on student performance, the statement added. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
