PROJECT
Assessing Equality of Access to Education in Egypt

In recent years the Egyptian government has made admirable strides toward meeting its educational goals and commitments by focusing on quality improvements. However, there remains some concern about the effect of these improvements on more disadvantaged segments of the population.

The purpose of this project is to assess the degree of equality in access to education in Egypt. This overall objective will be determined through analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. The former includes the preparation of demographic data on school-age populations broken down by geographic location; an assessment of school building programs; and a comparison of that data with current projections. The qualitative aspect of the project includes a detailed assessment of such issues as the criteria used to create population projections and determine site locations, school models, and construction codes, as well as analysis of the input and influence of local communities and authorities in order to assess the ability of the current system to cater to community needs and preferences at the local level.

This study will focus mainly on assessing current methods of forecasting, planning, and building schools in Egypt. The project will contribute to the improvement of educational services by providing reliable, up-to-date demographic and statistical data that will enable educational planners to accurately forecast not only how many schools to build, and where, but also where improvements or renovations are needed.

The study also will provide in-depth qualitative analysis of the processes and methods used in formulating and implementing the forecasts, and provide a clearer picture of the level of community involvement in how government policies are created, conceived, and put into practice at the local level. This analysis will include examining the procedures by which school locations are selected, construction and maintenance issues, school design, and costs. Such assessments will provide a better understanding of the factors that cater successfully to local demand and the ways in which deprived areas could more effectively be targeted and aided. The study will ranks districts all over Egypt according to need for primary, preparatory, and secondary schools.

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Location

Egypt

Duration

October 2006–May 2007

Population Council researchers

Ragui Assaad, Asmaa Badawy, Ghada Barsoum, Rania Roushdy

Non-Council collaborators

Mohamed Fattouh, Mohamed Ragheb, Alec Gershberg, Hanaa El-Gohary

Donor

US Agency for International Development

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See Also

• Egypt
• Schooling

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