Schools in Egypt

[j4hurghada]

Hi malak.

Nice to meet you
What are the schools like in cairo? are they good in Hurghada?

[Malak]

Hi,
Lots of schools to choose from in Cairo, but you do have to pay (private). They tend to call these language schools that follow either British or American ciriculum, with a bit of arabic/relgious studies thrown in. The cost of these schools can range from 10,000EGP per child per year to 50,000EGP per child per year. If you want to go to say an international school , The British or American schools who employ qualified Expat staff charge aorund £5000, GBP per year, and other costs can be incurred such a transport, outings etc. All schols require an adminstration fee as well, normally around £60 GBP. I have looked at many schools and its not all about the most exspensive are the best, this is not necessarily the case. Hopefully my children will attend the futures language school in Cairo. I met them and liked the teachers and the way it was ran. I need to ensure that we can afford to pay for schooling moving forward. This is were most familys money goes to in Egypt, on education. Hurghada will have a similar setup to Cairo, you would need to ask for there circulum and fees.
Egypt does have goverment schools, where you dont pay or pay very little, but the classes are large and arabic is the 1st language spoken as well as the egyptian curiculam. So unles expat kids are fluent in arabic this could be an option.
As teh average egyptian working salary is around 700 egp a month (could be less in some cases) school fees really hit hard.
As an expat and if you manage to work, salaries would depend on the company that employs you. I know people who work for 2000 EGP per month, good salary, but have no children.

Really check out the cost of schools before you make any decision to move.

[j4hurghada]

Thanks for the advise, and Yes that is our bigest problem. and also will they fit in. We are on misson when we go over in April, Checking with school, work and is it right for us the new lifestyle. We have nothing to lose at the moment but to check it out.

Thanks

Jayne

[Malak]

Hi Jayne, No Problem. I am sure your children will fit, that won't be a problem, they will make many friends. When you view the schools, go during school time, so you can see how it feels. You never know, you may be offered a job there yourself, teaching assistant or something. Sometimes these positions come up and this may mean your children go for a discounted fee(or none at all) as your working there. My personal findings (and this was just me, not speaking for millions) was that I found that my children had already covered or learnt the ciriculam some schools were studying presently and there reading and writing was maybe a year or two advanced. (if that makes sense) to what some classes were learning. So my kids looked brilliant, high acheivers etc... but I felt it could set them back. Just my opnion.
Life style will be great, but the day to day activity of shopping, driving, negotiating can be a pain.... but then again, all countries have there dislikes. I wish you great success....

[j4hurghada]

Thank you Malak.
I have already sorted out interview for job at the school, and if that works out well and the kids will fit in we are off. I would rather work in the same place as my kids then I can see for myself if they are ok. April is when we go over.

Thanks

Jayne

[kim konnoris]

please let me know how you get on looking at schools, we to need to find a school for our 14yr old daughter. Also any info on school fees would be great.

[j4hurghada]

We are over in April so I will let you know, we are also going to look at the school in El Gouna but that school is very expensive it would cost about £5000 a year for my two children, where the Sunshine school is about £1700 per child. I am only going on what I have been told so finding out myself will confirm things to me.

[Malak]

Let us know how you get on. Check out what school books etc are available to your children at the school. And whetever they are missing, maybe you can take for your children. A few maths books etc and Oxford reading books. I actually asked our school in the UK if they had a full set of old ones that they did not need and I took these with me. Thats the main concern, teh paying for schooling for the next few years. In teh UK we only pay once thye hit A'levels/College or Uni, so paying from a young age can soon add up to the cost of living.
Its great you have a job lined up. Let us know how you get on.

[j4hurghada]

I will let certainly let you all know how we get on. And by the end of April we will know if we are making the move or not. If we could get over earlier we would but April it is. Luckily I have alot of people on here and on the sister site giving me alot of advise and I am taking it all in. Thankyou all for advise, the best advise is from someone that knows and have been through what I am going through.

[Malak]

I am sure you will move, go for it, life changing experience and all that. You can take lots of advice, ignore the negative, thats the best way. Take a chance! thats what I say. It may be a bit daunting to begin with, but most people get through. Your children will be the ones who most appreciate it.
When you picking your kids up from school, then going to have a coke at the Cafe before you go home, to change to go for a swim...... Ahhhhh who needs UK!