Egypt Introduces New Bakalouria System Alongside Traditional High School
Listen to the story
Egypt is launching a new education system called the Bakalouria, which will run as a parallel path alongside the traditional Thanaweya Amma high school certificate.
The Egyptian education minister has issued two official decisions that explain how studying and exams will work for students in both systems.
The Bakalouria will not replace the Thanaweya Amma. Instead, students will be able to choose between the two pathways depending on their needs.
As the new system approaches, many students and families are asking questions about what they need to know before making their choice.
The two ministerial decisions cover the curriculum and the way exams will be organized for students following each path.
Officials say the goal is to give students more flexibility in how they complete their secondary education.
Because the Bakalouria is new, schools and families are still learning about its rules and how it compares to the traditional system.
Students who are close to finishing middle school will soon need to decide which path fits them best.
The ministry of education is expected to share more details as the new system gets closer to starting.
For now, both paths will exist side by side, giving Egyptian students two different routes toward their secondary school certificate.
Vocabulary7 words
- Bakalouria
- a new Egyptian school system for older students
- parallel
- existing at the same time, side by side
- decisions
- official choices or rules made by leaders
- pathways
- different routes or ways to reach a goal
- curriculum
- the subjects and lessons students study
- ministry of education
- the government department that manages schools
- secondary school certificate
- the document showing a student finished high school
Quiz
Answer key
1. It runs alongside the Thanaweya Amma as an alternative path 2. The education minister 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Egypt is launching a new education system called the _____, which will run as a parallel path alongside the traditional Thanaweya Amma.
The Egyptian education minister has issued two official _____ that explain how studying and exams will work.
The Bakalouria will not replace the Thanaweya Amma. Instead, students will be able to choose between the two _____.
The two ministerial decisions cover the _____ and the way exams will be organized.
Officials say the goal is to give students more flexibility in how they complete their secondary education.
The _____ is expected to share more details as the new system gets closer to starting.
Both paths will exist side by side, giving students two routes toward their _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Egypt decided to create a new system instead of only using the Thanaweya Amma?
- What questions would you ask before choosing between two school paths like this?
- Do you think having two different paths is good for students? Why or why not?
- How might parents feel about a new, unfamiliar school system?