The Education Program has been divided into two specialized departments—the Adult Education department and the Increasing Standards of Education department.
-The Improving Standards Department focuses specifically on improving the capacities of local schools—offering teaching seminars, supplying teachers with essential educational materials, developing school facilities, and establishing tutoring classes for struggling students between the ages of 6-18.
The Primary Objective of the Education Program is to ensure that all members of targeted communities have access to a decent education and to increase the overall academic standards of all members of targeted communities.
The education system of Egypt struggles to overcome both internal and external challenges. The Egyptian schools system has traditionally struggled to find adequate funding, resulting in insufficient teaching staff, overcrowded classrooms, and lack of essential teaching materials. In light of the country’s recent financial instability, the school system continues to suffer, especially in poorer communities. Many young people—especially young males—are choosing to drop out of school to pursue work, hoping to raise money for their families. Additionally, many lingering or traditional stigmas persist regarding women and education. In a report released in 2017 by CAPMAS, it was estimated that roughly 14.4% of Egyptian males were considered illiterate. In the same report, women were estimated at 26%.
The Education Program is one of the three Essential Programs of BLESS, meaning that every community BLESS serves will receive educational support. BLESS is currently providing academic and educational training services to 145 communities all throughout Egypt.