UNICEF and Sawiris Foundation join forces to strengthen foundational Arabic language skills for children in Egypt

CAIRO, Egypt, 24 September 2026 – Today, The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Sawiris Foundation signed a new partnership to help children acquire the foundational reading skills they need to learn, thrive and reach their full potential.

Building on the successful implementation of the three phases of the National Arabic Language Skills Development Programme across Egypt's 27 governorates, Sawiris Foundation is partnering with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MOETE) to launch a new phase of the programme to reach all public primary schools across Fayoum, Assiut, and Sohag, covering an additional 2,500 schools.

The new phase is expected to reach 500,000 to 1 million children, based on the results of the baseline assessment, children will strengthen their Arabic language and reading skills, contributing to improved learning outcomes while further enhancing the capacity and resilience of Egypt's education system.

Implemented in close partnership with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, the programme will strengthen foundational literacy through evidence-based approaches, including structured pedagogy, targeted teaching based on children's learning levels, and continuous teacher coaching. Approximately 10,000 teachers and education professionals will receive specialized training. In addition, high-quality Arabic teachers' guides aligned with the national curriculum will be developed and institutionalized within the education system, ensuring sustainable impact.

Natalia Winder Rossi, UNICEF Representative in Egypt, said: "Reading and writing are the foundation of all learning. Yet too many children struggle to acquire basic reading and writing skills during their early years of education, limiting their ability to succeed throughout school and later in life. By investing in foundational Arabic language skills, we are giving every child the opportunity to develop the skills they need to fully participate in society and contribute to Egypt’s future.

By combining UNICEF's technical expertise in education, the Ministry's leadership and the Sawiris Foundation's commitment to sustainable social development, the partnership will help create lasting improvements that extend beyond participating schools and contribute to a stronger education system nationwide.

UNICEF is proud to support evidence-based solutions that strengthen Egypt's education system and help every child realize their full potential."

Laila Hosny, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation, added: "At Sawiris Foundation, we believe that every child has the right to build a future grounded in knowledge, confidence, and access to opportunity. Reading and writing are the foundation for lifelong learning, active participation in society, and expanding the opportunities available to individuals. Guided by this belief, we continue to invest in evidence-based approaches that contribute to strengthening education systems from within by empowering teachers, improving learning outcomes, and ensuring that proven solutions are implemented at scale to achieve sustainable impact. We are proud of our partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, which reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Egypt's education system through evidence, collaboration, and long-term investment in future generations."

This new phase of implementation builds on the success of the first three phases of the National Arabic Literacy Programme led by the Ministry of Education and Technical Education since 2024 in alignment with Egypt's Vision 2030. Led by the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving learning outcomes and accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education. It also reinforces UNICEF's commitment to supporting the Government of Egypt in ensuring that every child has access to equitable, inclusive, and quality learning opportunities.