Egyptian Parents and Educators Coordinate to Improve School Systems

In partnership with IREX, the Forum for Development and Human Rights Dialogue (FDHRD), a Cairo-based nongovernmental organization, has administered a series of training workshops aimed at supporting and improving the effective participation of parents and educators in the decision-making process of their local schools.

In 2006, the Egyptian Ministry of Education issued a decree establishing boards of trustees, parents, and teachers for every public school. The goals of these boards include bridging the gap between parents and schools so that parents can play a more active role in advocating for their children’s education, as well as encouraging decentralization of school management and maintenance through parental involvement and volunteerism.

Through the “Developing Capacity for Egyptian School Boards of Trustees” project, over 250 parents, teachers, Board of Trustee members, and Ministry of Education officials have come together from 10 different Cairo-area schools to explore the role and significance of the school boards and discuss ways to enhance their impact on school administration. In addition, the workshops addressed how school boards can promote a culture of human rights and democracy within the educational system.

During each workshop, participants received training in the legal rights and responsibilities of the boards as well as an introduction to concepts of citizenship and human rights as they applied to education - specifically the role of citizen participation in the education process. The workshops have helped raise awareness among parents and educators about the roles that they can play. They have also built relationships among participants so that they can work together to improve the quality of education for their children and students.