Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly warned that students failing to speak Arabic proficiently presents a serious challenge to Egypt and its national security, calling for greater focus on the language in international schools.
Speaking at the Egypt 2026 Forum, Madbouly questioned the level of command that international school students have over the national language. He emphasized that the matter goes beyond simple education policy and touches directly on cultural identity and security.
The prime minister noted that authorities had received complaints regarding requirements for teaching Arabic and religious education. These complaints also questioned whether grades in these subjects should contribute to overall academic results.
Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel Latif declared that the debate surrounding mandatory subjects in international schools has concluded. He stated that all students across Egyptian schools must study history, Arabic, and religion.
Education specialist Rafaat Fayad noted that Egypt currently has approximately 600 international schools.
