Mohamed El-Shamaa

The Japanese educational system, which stresses book reading habits, leadership skills, behavior and discipline, has caught on big time in Egyptian-Japanese schools.

Last year 35 schools in Egypt opened their doors to the Japanese system. After its tremendous success five more new schools are set to join them in the 2019-2020 academic year, officials told Arab News.

The project is part of the Egyptian-Japanese Education Partnership announced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his visit to Tokyo in 2016.

The educational system in Japanese schools is based on learning through activities with the aim on enhancing the educational and administrative experience. Japan sends missions to Cairo to train teachers, principals and managers for the schools.

In a statement on education in Japanese schools in Egypt, the Egyptian Ministry of Education said that the schools have adopted the new system at the kindergarten and primary one stages, including one day which is dedicated to Japanese activities that focus on student behavior.

Karima Ahmed Shahin, the principal of an Egyptian-Japanese school, said that exams and personal interviews were essential for acceptance in the schools.

The attendance of the child’s parents is a prerequisite for the interview, where several questions are asked to assess cooperation between the family and the school to create a new generation capable of building Egypt’s future.

Shahin said that there is a zero-tolerance policy in choosing students and that parents are informed in advance that they will have to spend 20 hours monthly with their children in the school.

Japan helps Egypt with $282 million to enhance its educational system and invest in human resources, including $169 million to the Egyptian-Japanese schools.