Student absences at all educational levels will, in the new 2020/2021 academic year, be recorded on a daily basis, Minister of Education and Technical Education Tarek Shawky announced on Sunday.
The new system will be implemented to take into account the roster of attendance that schools will follow, as part of the precautionary measures related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Shawky also said that his ministry has yet to reach a final decision on the number of exams students would be allowed to sit, if they wish to improve their grades in the high school leaving (Thanaweyya Amma) exams.
He confirmed that the ministry has provided several alternatives to private lessons, adding that there is no need for students to attend these classes. The educational centres providing these services will be permanently closed, according to the law.
Shawky added that the schedule of attendance at private schools will be based on the capabilities of each individual school.
He said that his ministry will allow students to attend school every day where space, capabilities and preparation allows for daily attendance to take place. Electronic and actual classes can be applied at schools which do not have these capabilities.
Shawky also said that the Ministry of Education and Technical Education is keen for students to learn methods of conducting scientific research, undertaking critical thinking and finding solutions to problems through modern technology.
He indicated that the education system is based on the philosophy and actual interaction between students and teachers, particularly at primary school level. The coronavirus pandemic has, however, put the education system under great pressure, ensuring that a substantial tranche of the post-coronavirus education system will be online.
Shawky clarified that there are a total of 14,000 members have registered on electronic educational platforms that were implemented during the global health crisis.
