Barran Press
On November 18, 2024, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its concern regarding the closure of several Yemeni schools, particularly in Giza, citing a lack of proper licensing and the use of Yemeni curricula instead of Egyptian ones.
This statement was made by Yasser Shaban, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cultural Relations, during a meeting with Yemen's Ambassador to Egypt, Khalid Bahah. They discussed the implications of the school closures, as reported by the official Yemeni news agency, Saba.
Shaban emphasized the ministry's commitment to finding suitable solutions to ensure the continuation of educational services for the Yemeni community in Egypt.
In response, Ambassador Bahah highlighted the embassy's efforts to regularize the status of these schools in accordance with the host country's laws and regulations. He underscored the embassy's dedication to providing quality educational services for Yemeni children.
Bahah noted that the recent closures have left over 6,000 students at home, posing a significant threat to their educational continuity. He also pointed out the difficulties students are facing in enrolling in Egyptian schools, which now require a temporary residence permit prior to registration. This represents a shift from previous years when students could obtain residency based on their school enrollment certificates.
In late October, Yemeni sources in Cairo reported that Egyptian authorities initiated the process of closing Yemeni schools across various regions, particularly in Giza. They indicated that 15 schools had been shut down, affecting over 6,000 students from the Yemeni community residing in Egypt.
Authorities attributed the closures to the absence of proper licensing, while some observers suggested that the teaching of Yemeni curricula instead of Egyptian ones may have also played a role.