Education Systems in the Middle East: Information on System Structures and Assessments

These countries include Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen. The education systems in these countries vary in structure, with some countries having a more complex system than others. The public education system structures in the MENA countries are presented in Table 1. The table shows the structure of the education system at the pre-primary, primary, and secondary levels, with subcycles also shown if they exist. The education levels and subcycles are presented with reference to the formal student age ranges and grade levels concerned, and whether a given level or cycle is compulsory or optional. For example, in Algeria, pre-primary education is compulsory, while primary education is divided into two cycles, with the second cycle being optional. The post-secondary education system structures in the MENA countries are presented in Table 2. The table shows the formal or modal starting age, as well as a range of years in which studies are typically completed. For example, in Egypt, university studies typically last for 5 years, while vocational/technical education lasts for 3-5 years. National assessments in the MENA countries are presented in Table 3. The table shows an overview of the national assessments and their implementation over time, including dates when assessments have been administered, what type of student group (sample- or census-based) has been assessed, and what content has been evaluated. For example, in Egypt, national assessments have been administered since 2003, with a focus on evaluating student performance in mathematics and science. International assessments in the MENA countries are presented in Table 4. The table shows which assessments and years when each country participated in these assessments, as early as 1999. For example, in Jordan, the country has participated in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) since 2006. Early grade reading assessments (EGRA) in the MENA countries are presented in Table 5. The table shows which countries in the MENA region have participated in this international assessment. For example, in Morocco, EGRA has been administered across grades 1 to 4 since 2011. The academic calendars of public schools in the MENA countries are presented in Table 6. The calendar covers the first day of school, last day of school, and vacation periods during the academic year for pre-primary, primary, and secondary education. For example, in Lebanon, the academic year typically starts in September and ends in June, with a two-week winter break and a one-week spring break. The academic calendars of public universities in the MENA countries are presented in Table 7. The calendar shows the academic calendar of public universities, with most countries' academic calendars divided into two or more periods of study. For example, in Egypt, the academic year typically starts in October and ends in June, with two semesters and a summer break.