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A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.<\/p>\n
Al-Masry Al-Youm, Egypt, August 14<\/em><\/p>\n Until the early 1990s, the upper echelon of Egyptian society largely emerged from the public school system. Ministers, doctors, engineers, diplomats, and countless other professionals began their journeys in village and small-town schools before moving on to public universities.<\/p>\n Today, however, the equation has shifted dramatically. Although precise studies and accurate statistics remain scarce, it is clear that graduates of private institutions \u2013 especially international schools \u2013 have risen to form Egypt\u2019s new elite. The mere mention of such a school on a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 can tip the balance in a young person\u2019s favor, providing them with a decisive edge over their peers.<\/p>\n Many jobs now demand proficiency in a foreign language, a requirement that leaves the majority of public school graduates \u2013 even those with advanced degrees from public universities \u2013 shut out from these opportunities. English, in particular, has become the gatekeeper of opportunity.<\/p>\n If one\u2019s English reflects the colloquial version taught in government schools, career prospects are stunted, no matter the strength of one\u2019s university credentials. Conversely, fluency in polished English opens doors that remain closed to the majority.<\/p>\n This phenomenon is not unique to Egypt. Across the globe, private schools have entrenched themselves in education systems. Roughly 17% of primary school students worldwide are enrolled in private schools, a figure that climbs to 26% at the secondary level.<\/p>\n