Legal framework for Private Schools in Egypt
Egypt’s private education sector plays a vital role in broadening and enriching educational opportunities across the country’s school system.
Governed by a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework, private schools whether national or international must operate under well-defined standards designed to ensure quality, accountability, and alignment with national educational objectives. Accordingly, each one of them is subject to specific licensing, operational and compliance requirements.
Establishment and Licensing of Private Schools
The establishment and operation of private schools in Egypt are subject to prior approval requirements under Education law No. 139 of 1981 and its executive regulations, as supplemented by relevant ministerial decrees issued by the ministry of education and technical education.
As a general rule no private school may be established, expanded, or operated without a prior approval from the competent educational authority. This requirement applies to private national schools and private international schools alike. For high schools, approval is issued by a ministerial decision.
Applications are submitted to the competent Educational Directorate having the jurisdiction over school’s location and must be generally filed at least four months prior the commencement of the academic year.
Infrastructure and Educational Buildings Approval
In parallel with educational licensing, schools must obtain approval from the general authority for educational buildings, which is responsible for assessing the suitability of school premises in terms of planning, safety and capacity.
The authority issues a preliminary approval confirming architectural compliance which is valid for three years which may be renewed for another year upon demonstrating seriousness of implementation otherwise it gets revoked automatically upon expiry if construction wasn’t complete.
Books, Curricula and Educational Content
Private international schools are subject to oversight by the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, particularly where foreign curricula are involved. Establishing a private international school, offering non-Egyptian curricula, or adopting or changing a certification system requires prior ministerial approval.
In addition, private schools’ educational content is centrally regulated: no part of the prescribed curriculum may be published, printed, or sold without authorization. Schools must submit textbooks for technical review, pay examination fees, and ensure compliance with approved educational standards, intellectual property requirements, and national moral and educational values.
These obligations apply equally to Egyptian and foreign curricula taught within licensed schools.
Fees, tuition and Financial Regulation
Private schools in Egypt are subject to strict financial regulation. Tuition fees for both newly enrolled and continuing students may not be increased by more than 7% annually. All school fees and related charges must be collected exclusively in Egyptian pounds, in line with the Central Bank Law requiring domestic transactions to be conducted in the national currency.
Schools must notify the competent Educational Administration of their approved fee structure at least one month prior to the commencement of each academic year. The approved tuition schedule must be clearly displayed on school premises, and written acknowledgment must be obtained from students’ guardians.
A ministerial decision further prohibits all private schools, including international schools, from collecting any tuition or education-related payments in foreign currency, including fees relating to international certificate validation, examinations, or official documentation. Violations may result in legal action, including referral to the Public Funds Prosecution under the Central Bank Law. Schools found to have collected amounts exceeding officially approved fees may also be referred to the Supreme Committee for International Schools and subjected to financial and administrative supervision, with potential escalation of sanctions up to and including license revocation.
Accreditation and Quality Assurance
Beyond licensing, private schools are required to apply for institutional or program accreditation from the National Authority for Quality Assurance and accreditation of education. Accreditation is granted for a period of 5 years and subject to renewal.
As part of this process, schools must demonstrate adequate internal governance structure, quality assurance, mechanisms, ongoing self-assessments and performance improvement systems. Prior to submitting the accreditation application, schools may request an exploratory visit by the authority to assess their level of readiness and compliance with standards
Staffing and Employment of Foreign Teachers
Private schools must employ qualified staff who meet the educational and health standards applicable to public schools. The employment of foreign teachers is permitted within prescribed limits and subject to obtaining the necessary approvals and work permits. As a general rule, foreign staff may not exceed 10% percent of the school’s total number of teachers, and any deviation from this threshold requires ministerial approval. Employment of foreign teachers is time-limited and must comply with applicable labor, immigration, and regulatory requirements.
Foreign Ownership
Foreigners may own private schools in Egypt through a legal entity established in accordance with Egyptian law. While a foreign ownership cap previously applied, there is currently no statutory percentage limit on foreign ownership of the entity owning a private school, subject at all times to obtaining the required approvals from the Ministry of Education and Technical Education and full compliance with the applicable regulatory framework.
Core Compliance Obligations for Private Schools in Egypt
Set out below is an overview of the primary regulatory obligations that private schools must satisfy throughout their operation.
| Category | Obligation | Timing / Frequency | Consequence of Non-Compliance |
|---|
| Licensing | Obtain prior approval before establishment or expansion | Before operation | Refusal of license / closure risk |
| Construction | Secure premises approval from Educational Buildings Authority | Before construction/use | Project suspension or revocation |
| Curricula | Obtain approval for foreign curricula or certification systems | Before implementation | Program prohibition |
| Educational Content | Submit textbooks for technical review | Before use | Rejection of materials |
| Fees | Adhere to 7% annual tuition increase cap | Annually | Administrative penalties |
| Currency Compliance | Collect all fees in Egyptian pounds only | Ongoing | Legal liability under currency law |
| Fee Disclosure | Announce and display approved fee schedule | Annually before school year | Regulatory sanctions |
| Accreditation | Obtain and renew accreditation | Every 5 years | Loss of accreditation status |
| Staffing | Maintain foreign teacher ratio within permitted threshold | Ongoing | Requirement to regularize staffing |
| Reporting | Notify authorities of approved fee structure | At least 1 month before school year | Compliance violations |
| Financial Compliance | Charge only officially approved fees | Ongoing | Referral to authorities / supervision |
| Regulatory Oversight | Cooperate with inspections and authorities | Ongoing | Escalated enforcement measures |
Is Your School Compliant?
Conclusion
Egypt’s private education sector presents a compelling opportunity, but it is one defined by precision, planning, and strict regulatory discipline. The governing legal framework is intentionally robust, ensuring that private institutions operate not merely as commercial ventures but as regulated educational actors aligned with national standards and policy objectives. For investors and operators, success in this sector is therefore not determined solely by educational vision or financial capacity, but by the ability to navigate licensing, accreditation, operational, and compliance requirements with legal accuracy and strategic foresight. In practice, informed regulatory planning is not ancillary to market entry in Egypt’s private school sector, it is foundational to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the licensing requirements for private schools in Egypt?
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To establish a private school in Egypt, the owner must obtain prior approval under Education Law 139 of 1981 and its executive regulations. The application is filed with the competent Educational Directorate and includes details on the school type, premises, ownership, management and proposed curriculum. Operating without a valid license can lead to sanctions, including suspension or closure.
How do I get premises approval for a private school in Egypt?
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Premises for a private school must be approved by the General Authority for Educational Buildings. The Authority grants a preliminary approval, usually valid for three years and extendable, to allow completion of construction and fit-out, followed by a final approval before the school starts operating. Compliance with building safety, capacity and technical education standards is essential.
What are the tuition fee rules for private schools in Egypt?
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Tuition fees for private schools in Egypt are subject to approval and supervision by the Ministry of Education. Annual fee increases are typically capped at around 7 percent, and schools are required to charge and collect fees in Egyptian pounds only. Charging above approved fees or collecting in foreign currency can trigger regulatory intervention and potential penalties.
Are there foreign ownership restrictions for private schools in Egypt?
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Foreign investors may own interests in private schools in Egypt through Egyptian entities, and there is currently no express statutory cap on foreign shareholding. However, foreign-owned schools remain subject to the same education licensing, investment and control rules as other operators. Structuring and approvals should be carefully planned at the outset of the project.
What rules apply to foreign teachers in private schools in Egypt?
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Private schools in Egypt can employ foreign teachers, but their proportion is generally limited to a small percentage of the total teaching staff, often around 10 percent unless additional approvals are obtained. Schools must also ensure that foreign teachers meet the required academic qualifications and comply with immigration, residency and work permit regulations.
Do private schools in Egypt need accreditation and quality assurance?
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Yes. Private schools are expected to obtain and periodically renew accreditation from the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education. Accreditation is usually renewed every few years and focuses on educational standards, governance, facilities and learning outcomes, forming an important part of ongoing regulatory compliance.
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