M a r c h
2 0 1 4
associated MDG (#2; i.e. Achieve Universal Primary Education).
70
In an online global survey held by the United Nations titled “MY World”- starting in December 2012, to determine the most significant priorities we need to focus on, over a million votes were counted, and in all categories, education ranked first, reflecting how important and influential of a goal truly is. [1] Egypt, which has been fully committed to the implementation of the MDGs on all levels since their endorsement in 2000, including the goal to achieve universal primary education, witnessed very significant milestones conquered. In its latest national report: “Egypt’s progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.” (2010), the following were noted with its MDG #2 status:[2] - The net enrollment ratio for primary education increased from 86 percent in 1990 to 96 percent in 2008/2009. - Urban Governorates have achieved universal primary education for both boys and girls, although other regions lag behind. - Net enrollment ratio exceeds 100% in some Governorates such as Cairo, Alexandria and other Urban Governorates because of internal migration to these governorates. Egypt is nearing universal access to basic education for all. However, several issues still continue to present themselves as obstacles ahead of the country’s educational system, including: - Dropout and absence rates, considered the main threats of education. - Illiteracy ratios being higher among females as indicated by recent statistics. - Regional disparities, since illiteracy ratios are higher in rural areas than in urban areas [2] There is also a question raised on whether Egypt’s pursuit to provide universal primary education is compromising its quality, as highlighted in a report issued by the World Economic Forum:
www.ifmsa.org
“The Global Competitiveness Report for 2013-2014”, which placed Egypt at the bottom of its report in regards to the quality of primary education. According to the report, the local economy slipped from the 94th rank in the 2011-2012 report to the 118th rank, with Egyptian institutions ranking 100th with regards to health and primary education. [3] Egypt’s educational system faces a multitude of challenges that need to be addressed and tackled, particularly in its public sector, which include poor, insufficient facilities and ineffective spending. [4] Nonetheless, we believe that it is still on the right path to being revitalized and given the attention and dedication it deserves in order to be improved. References [1] United Nations. MY World: The United Nations global survey for a better world. [Online].; 2012 [cited 2013 December 25. Available from: http://www.myworld2015.org/index.html. [2] United Nations Development Programme. United Nations Development Programme in Egypt. [Online]. Cairo; 2012 [cited 2013 December 25. Available from: http://www.undp.org/content/egypt/en/home/mdgoverview/. [3] Al-Masry Al-Youm. Egypt Independent. [Online].; 2013 [cited 2013 December 26. Available from: http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/egypt-s-primary-education-ranks-last-global-competitiveness-report. [4] El Sheekh S, Tarek S. Ahram Online. [Online].; 2013 [cited 2013 December 26. Available from: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/151/82499/Egypt/Features/ Egypts-public-school-system-Failing-all-tests.aspx.