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Cairo Education

by Vishal Kumar

A brief introduction to the education system of Cairo city with the top-notch school, colleges, and universities in Cairo, Egypt.


Cairo as the capital city of Egypt is regarded as an important seat of learning and education. Cairo education encompasses the various schools and universities in the city. Basic education in Cairo is made free and compulsory.

The educational system in Cairo is highly centralized and is divided into three distinct stages basic, secondary and post-secondary. The primary and the preparatory phases are clubbed into basic education. Pursuing secondary and post-secondary education depends solely on the ability of the students.

Secondary education in Cairo can be categorized into general, technical, and vocational. Subjects relating to industry, commerce, and agriculture are taught. Post-secondary education or higher education in Cairo is provided both by public and private institutions. Public higher education is free in Egypt, whereas, private institutions are relatively expensive.

Children in Cairo generally go to private or government schools for their basic education. The Arabic Schools and the Experimental Language Schools are the government schools of Cairo. Arabic schools follow the government-approved curriculum in the Arabic language, whereas the Experimental Language Schools follow the curriculum in English, and French is taught as a second foreign language. The three types of private schools in Cairo are ordinary schools, language schools, and religious schools. The British International School in Cairo is one of the most reputed private schools. Established in 1976, this school provides education based on British principles and curriculum especially, for children belonging to the Anglo-Egyptian community.

Various universities are the seat of higher education in Cairo. The Cairo university located in Giza, Egypt was set up as a national center for liberal thought. The Al-Azhar University of Cairo is the world’s oldest university and one of the prestigious institutes for Sunni Muslims. The university follows a religious syllabus and the medium of teaching is Arabic, the language of the Holy Quran.

Cairo education aims at the all-around development of the student. Various recreational and extracurricular activities are encouraged in these schools and universities. Various institutions also provide a congenial atmosphere for both the students and the teachers.

German University in Cairo

The German University in Cairo (GUC) is a private University in Egypt. It was founded in collaboration with the State Universities of Ulm and Stuttgart. The University also received patronage from the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts, the Arab/German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education, and the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. It also received support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany, and the German Embassy in Cairo.

The different faculties of the German University in Cairo, teach various subjects like:

  • Pharmacy and Biotechnology
  • Media Engineering and Technology
  • Applied Sciences and Arts
  • Information Engineering and Technology
  • Management Technology
  • Engineering and Materials Science

Universities in Cairo

There are many Universities in Cairo that imparts quality education to the students of the Arab world. All throughout the Arab world, the University education of Cairo enjoys a place of distinction. Al Azhar University the oldest university and Cairo University, recognized as one of the most modern universities are both located in the city of Cairo.

Some of the well-known Universities in Cairo are International University, German University, Ain Shams University, Cairo University, and Helwan University. Some of the courses offered by the Universities of Cairo are:

  • Pharmacy and Biotechnology
  • Media Engineering and Technology
  • Information Engineering and Technology
  • Business
  • Applied Sciences and Arts
  • Humanities
  • Science
  • Management Technology
  • Music
  • Engineering and Materials Science

Schools in Cairo

The Schools in Cairo provide high-quality education on a campus equipped with all modern amenities. The city has a number of schools run by both private and public organizations. Some of these schools are residential that arrange for the accommodation facilities of the pupils within the campus of the school.

The schools of Cairo can be broadly classified as:

  • Cairo Elementary Schools
  • Cairo Middle Schools
  • Cairo High Schools

Children start their education at the Cairo Elementary Schools, which follow the play way method of education. Some of the Cairo Elementary Schools are Centura Elementary School, Eastside Elementary School, Northside Elementary School, Southside Elementary School, Centura Elementary School, and New Hope Christian School.

There are many Cairo Middle Schools and Cairo High Schools that train children up to grade 12. These schools employ well-trained, English-speaking teaching staff from countries like Britain, Australia, Canada New Zealand, and South Africa. They keep up to date with the most effective and modern teaching approaches. Some of the Cairo Middle Schools and Cairo High Schools are as follows:

  • Washington Middle School
  • Centura Secondary School
  • Cairo High Schools
  • New Cairo British International School
  • Modern English School, Cairo
  • Cairo High School

American University in Cairo

The American University in Cairo is a multi-cultural, independent, non-profitable, and secular educational institution. AUC is a world-class institution with well-trained faculty following a tradition of innovative and modern multidisciplinary study. This American liberal arts university is located in the heart of the Middle East, in Cairo. It emphasizes both qualities in teaching and research.

The University plans to move to a new campus in the year 2008. The institution is strongly committed to fulfilling the requirements of practical applications and professional specializations. It trains its students in the English language so that they can compete and succeed at the local, regional and international levels. This esteemed university is famous all over the world for educating legendary figures in business, politics, science, media, and humanities.

Ain Shams University

Ain Shams University is the third oldest Egyptian university. This university was founded in July 1950 under its initial name of Ibrahim Pasha University. The university has always played the role of a major, scientific and cultural organization for developing academic knowledge in Cairo.

Ain Shams University in Cairo was set up in response to the increased demand for higher education. Cairo University and Alexandria University could not meet the demands of the growing need for higher education. During the starting years, Ain Shams University comprised a number of recognized faculties and academic institutes, which now have developed into universities.

Al Azhar University Cairo

Al Azhar University Cairo is one of the oldest universities in the world. It is an Islamic university associated with the magnificent historic Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo.

This university is an Egyptian institution for higher studies. Both the mosque and the university were named in to tribute the honorable Fatima Az-Zahraa, who was the daughter and descendant of Muhammad, the ruler of the Fatimid Dynasty. This famous mosque was built around 971 AD. The school of theology or the Ismaili Shia School was founded in 988 AD and is closely connected to this mosque. Later it became a Sunni school.

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