The new high school system and everything you need to know about it

The education system in Egypt is witnessing radical changes with the adoption of the new high school system, which aims to develop the educational process and make it more compatible with the requirements of the modern era. This new system reflects the trend towards enhancing students' critical and creative abilities, away from traditional methods that relied on memorization and memorization.

What is the new high school system for 2024?

One of the most prominent features of the new high school system is the restructuring of the curriculum, where the number of core subjects has been reduced, giving students a greater opportunity to specialize in fields that interest them and suit their personal inclinations.

The system also focuses on activating the role of modern technologies in the educational process, which contributes to improving the quality of education and increasing student interaction with academic subjects.

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Main changes in the new high school system 2024:

• Reducing the number of basic academic subjects.
• Focus on specializations that suit students' interests.
• Extensive use of technology in education and evaluation.
• Adopting continuous assessment throughout the academic year instead of relying on final exams only.
• Enhancing the role of critical and creative thinking in educational curricula.
• Abolishing the traditional system of division between scientific and literary.
• Introducing new materials that focus on practical and applied skills.
• Reducing reliance on memorization and memorization and increasing reliance on understanding and analysis.

High school subjects for the year 2024 2025

Subjects for the Science Division in the new high school system:

Subjects for the Mathematics Science Division in the new high school system:

Subjects of the Literary Division in the new secondary school system:

How to apply the new high school system?

Implementing the new high school system takes place through a set of steps and procedures aimed at transforming the educational vision into a tangible reality. Here's how to implement this system:

1. Updating the curriculum:

• Curricula are being developed to be more interactive and comprehensive, emphasizing deep understanding of material rather than memorization.
• Introducing new materials aimed at enhancing students’ practical and applied skills.

2. Teacher training:

• Providing intensive training programs for teachers on new curricula and modern teaching methods, including the use of technology in the classroom.
• Enhancing teachers’ abilities to present content in interactive ways based on participation and discussion.

3. Activating modern technologies:

• Extensive use of technology, through electronic educational platforms that allow students to access educational resources easily.
• Introducing electronic exams as part of the system to evaluate students more accurately and flexibly.

4. Reorganizing the academic schedule:

• Organizing the academic schedule to suit new changes in the curriculum, allowing students to delve deeper into the specializations they choose.
• Reducing the number of core subjects to increase focus on specializations.

5. Evaluate students continuously:

• Implementing a continuous evaluation system throughout the academic year, where students’ performance is evaluated through short tests, projects, and practical activities.
• Relieve stress on students by reducing the importance of the final exam and focusing on overall performance throughout the year.

6. Parent and community involvement:

• Holding awareness sessions for parents about the new system, its objectives and benefits, to ensure their support and effective participation in the educational process.
• Involving the local community in supporting schools and providing the necessary resources to implement the new system.

7. Continuous follow-up and evaluation:

• Conduct a periodic evaluation of the implementation of the new system, identify strengths and weaknesses, and make the necessary adjustments to ensure the achievement of the desired educational goals.
• Using data and results to continuously improve and develop the system.

Implementing the new high school system requires joint cooperation between all parties concerned to ensure its success and achieve the maximum benefit for students.

Read also: Obtaining a scholarship outside Egypt.

How will it affect students?

The implementation of the new high school system will impact students in many ways, ranging from improving their academic and personal skills, to changing their overall educational experience. Here are some possible effects:

1. Improving critical and creative thinking skills:

• The new system focuses on developing students' critical thinking and analysis skills instead of relying on memorization. This will enhance their ability to solve problems and make decisions independently.
• Students will learn how to search for and analyze information, which increases their ability to innovate and create in various fields.

2. Reducing psychological stress:

• By reducing reliance on final exams and relying on continuous assessment, students will be able to reduce the stress and stress that was associated with traditional exams.
• This system gives students multiple opportunities to improve their performance rather than focusing on one test.

3. Increase interaction with technology:

• Greater use of technology in education will increase students' skills in using digital tools, better preparing them for the modern job market.
• The system will allow students to access various educational resources, facilitating the learning process and making it more interactive.

4. Better orientation towards specializations:

• The new system allows students to focus on specializations that suit their interests and skills, which increases the chances of excellence in their chosen fields.
• This will make the learning experience more flexible and tailored to the individual students' desires and interests.

5. Promoting practical learning:

• Focusing on projects and practical activities within the curriculum will contribute to linking theoretical knowledge with practical application, which increases students’ understanding and acquisition of new skills.
• Students will gain practical experience that will help them better prepare for university life and the job market.

6. Increase self-responsibility:

• With continuous assessment and a focus on overall performance, students will learn to manage their time better and take responsibility for their personal learning.
• The new system will require students to be more disciplined and organized in their daily studies.

7. Encouraging positive competitiveness:

• By providing multiple opportunities for assessment and improvement, students will be able to compete favorably with their peers, encouraging academic and personal excellence.

Overall, the new high school system will better prepare students to face the challenges of the future, whether in academic or professional life, by equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

When will the new high school system be implemented?

The new high school system is scheduled to be implemented in Egypt starting in the 2024-2025 academic year. This means that students who will enter the first year of secondary school in 2024 will be subject to this new system, and it will continue to be applied gradually to all secondary levels during the following years.

Disadvantages of amending the new high school system?

Despite the many benefits that the new high school system could bring, there are some potential negatives that may arise with its implementation. Here are some of the negatives:

Challenges of adapting to the new system:

• Students and teachers may have difficulty adapting to new curricula and modern teaching methods, especially in the early stages of implementation.
• The need for a long time to accustom students to the continuous assessment pattern instead of traditional final exams.

Digital gap between students:

• Heavy reliance on technology in education may increase the digital divide between students who have good access to modern technologies and those who lack these resources.
• This may lead to unequal educational opportunities between urban and rural students.

Increased pressure on teachers:

• The new system may require teachers to make additional effort to develop new teaching methods and deal with modern technology, which may increase their professional burden.
• The need for intensive and continuous training for teachers on how to implement the new curricula effectively.

Continuous evaluation and performance pressure:

• Although continuous assessment can reduce the stress of final exams, it may also put students under constant pressure to maintain a high level of performance throughout the school year.
• This may lead to increased anxiety among students who find it difficult to adapt to this type of assessment.

System implementation costs:

• Implementing the new system can be expensive, especially in terms of updating the technological infrastructure and providing the necessary training for teachers.
• Some schools may face challenges in providing the resources needed to fully and effectively implement the system.

Lack of clarity in evaluation criteria:

• In the early stages of implementing the system, there may be some ambiguity regarding the evaluation criteria, which may lead to confusions between students and teachers.
• The need to clarify criteria accurately to ensure fairness and transparency in evaluation.

Concerns about shrinkage of materials:

• Reducing the number of core subjects may raise concerns about reducing the scope of knowledge students receive, which may affect the comprehensiveness of their education.

It is important to note that these negatives are not inevitable, and may be addressed through good planning and gradual implementation of the new system, which may reduce their negative impact on students and teachers.

New subjects in the high school system

Within the framework of the updates introduced to the new general secondary school system 2024-2025 for science, mathematics and literary subjects, the new system aims to improve the quality of education and develop students’ skills in line with the requirements of the modern era. The new changes included several innovative materials and curricula aimed at enhancing learning and preparing students for the future labor market. Here are details of the new materials and the advantages they offer:

Focus on one foreign language:

• In the new system, the emphasis is on teaching one foreign language instead of two. This change aims to enable students to better master this language, enhancing their linguistic abilities and increasing their opportunities for international communication.

Inclusion of programming teaching activities:

• Starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, programming teaching activities will be introduced as an essential part of the curriculum. Programming is one of the most important skills required in the modern job market, and with this change, students will have the opportunity to learn this vital skill during their high school years.

Study of the history of Egypt for the literary division:

• In the Literary Division, special emphasis will be placed on studying the history of Egypt, in order to enhance national identity and cultivate belonging among students. This subject will be an essential part of the curriculum to emphasize the importance of national history in shaping the awareness of future generations.

Keeping education up to date with the labor market:

• The new secondary school system seeks to make education more compatible with the needs of the labor market. This includes introducing new subjects and updating the curriculum to include practical and applied topics that contribute to better preparing students for future jobs.

Include important national topics:

• The curriculum has been updated to include important national topics that reflect current national issues. This enhances students' awareness of the challenges facing their country and qualifies them for effective participation in society.

Providing students with future skills:

• The new system aims to provide students with the skills they need in the future, such as critical thinking, innovation, and teamwork. These skills are not only essential in academic life, but are also key to success in professional life.

Strengthening the educational role of the educational institution:

• The system seeks to restore the educational role of educational institutions, by focusing on the moral and value aspects of education, in addition to academic education. This enhances the building of the student’s personality in an integrated manner and qualifies him to be a good and effective citizen in society.

These new subjects and updates to the curricula reflect the vision of the Ministry of Education towards integrated and comprehensive education, aiming to prepare a generation capable of facing the challenges of the future and contributing to the nation’s renaissance.

Is the new high school system compulsory?

Yes, the new high school system is a compulsory system that will be applied to all students enrolled in secondary school in Egypt starting from the 2024-2025 academic year. This means that students entering the first year of secondary school in 2024 will be obliged to follow this new system.

Implementing the system compulsorily comes within the efforts of the Ministry of Education to modernize and develop the educational system in Egypt in line with global developments and market requirements. It aims to improve the quality of education and ensure that students acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to keep pace with future challenges.

However, there may be some options available to students regarding the choice of majors or some subjects within the general framework of the system, but the basic framework of the system and the new curricula and assessment methods are mandatory for all students.