CAIRO: Minister of Higher Education Hani Hilal and Minister of Education Yousry Al-Gamal failed to attend a People's Assembly's (PA) education committee meeting last Monday, according to MP Farid Ismail. Ismail, who is affiliated with the National Democratic Party (NDP), told Daily News Egypt that a number of critical issues being discussed required the ministers' presence and "no one is suitable to talk on their behalf. "Not showing up for such an important session is considered a big insult to the PA, he added. Previously, Ismail continued, the Minister of Finance missed an important meeting for the PA's health committee, which led the PA to cancel the meeting as it would have been "useless without his presence. The PA's education committee met to discuss improvements to the education system. According to Ismail, there are a number of conflicting policies and decisions set by different authorities that affect the education system. "We need the educational institutions and ministries to coordinate with one another, Ismail said. "For example, the thanawiya amma [secondary school certificate] system is a failure and a burden on Egyptian families in terms of stress and finances, Ismail added. Ismail also referred to the issue of the Libyan students that were not allowed to enroll at Egyptian universities because of a decree by the Minister of Higher Education. The decision was later reversed when the students won an appeal against the minister s decision.
