World Economic Forum.

1. World Economic Forum. Ryan Theile, Alex Reinert, Megan Holt, Mariah McMillan

2. Primary and Secondary Education in the Middle East fueling the Economic Equality

3. Background • The education system in MENA regions is among the lowest of the world in testing and literacy • The education system lacks any quality • The youth (15-25) unemployment rate in MENA regions are at a world wide high • These factors are driving the economic Inequality of these Nations. • Time for some history about MENA nations

4. Abbasid Dynasty-The Golden Age of Islam • 750CE to 1258CE • Better developed schooling • “Maktab” = Elementary school • Based curriculum around the Qu’ran • Taught basic writing, reading, grammar & physical education • “Madrasa” = Higher education institution • Taught more advanced classes such as, science, logistics, math & medicine

5. Facts From the Past • The Literacy rate in 1990 was 59% • The enrolment rate for primary education in 2000 was around 86% • The secondary education enrolment rate in 2000 was at 62%

6. As of 2010 • The literacy rate has increased to 78% a growth of 19% over 20 years • Both Primary and Secondary education enrolment rates increased 8% • Primary education enrolment rates have increased to 94% • Secondary education enrolment rates have increased to 70% • A New gender gap has been created. Girls are now out performing the boys in 4th grade math. • A trend only shown in MENA regions • Even then, as of now there are still about 21million children not able to attend school in the middle eastern countries to Northern Africa.

7. Quality of Education • The quality of Education in MENA regions is at an international low • Studies have shown that MENA youths test at a much lower level than their peers from other countries • It seems that the socioeconomic gap amongst families is fueling the lack of quality within the education system. • Funding for the military is higher than funding for schooling.

8. Dr. DoniaBouhilia • Author of the Article: The Quality of Education Performance of Students in The Middle East and North Africa • Her study showed students of lower income preformed well below their peers from advantaged backgrouds • She found that children of disadvantaged backgrounds struggled with literacy and comprehensive skills in Science and Mathematics • She used the TIMSS test results in her studies

9. TIMSS Results 2015 4th grade • The TIMSS test is Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study • The test shows the scores in Mathematics and Science in grades 4 through 8 • The average score 500 • The #1 nation is Singapore with a score 606 • The United States Scored a 541 11th on the list • All MENA regions scored below the average threshold with Bahrain being the top (436) and Yemen being the lowest of all countries (248)

10. TIMSS results (worldbank.org)

11. Youth Unemployment (15-24) • The Youth unemployment is at an all time high MENA regions • 1 in 5 approximately 85 million youths are unemployed • In Middle Eastern Nations the youth unemployment rate is around 21% • In Northern African Nations the youth unemployment rate is around 25% • That is the highest unemployment rate amongst youths in the world

12. Unemployment on the Rise • With the unemployment rate at a world wide high • Economic stimulation cannot be achieved • Many of the individuals who grew up in poverty still remain in poverty with no way out • Even those with a college education remain unemployed • In Egypt the majority of young Adults who are unemployed are college graduates

13. Education System to Blame • The education system is at fault for the spike in unemployment • Students are not learning basic skills to perform out in the world • Even at the college level companies are hesitant to hire students because they lack the basic skill necessary to perform the tasks aske of them in their job field.

14. Building a New Tomorrow • Changes to the education system wont happen over night it will take time and commitment from families and the government • The governments in MENA regions already show commitment towards developing the education system with an investment rate of around 5.3% GDP • New policies should be formed to assist all students from all socioeconomic backgrounds

15. NCLB • A strong policy that has worked for over 10 years in the United States is the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) act • Signed by former President George W. Bush in 2002 • The act established a new set of rules for teachers and institutions • The act was made to boost the performance of other groups like English-Language learners, special education, and minority groups • The NCLB act has shown strong results for these groups

16. Other Changes • Investing the governments money into the lower income public schools as opposed to the upper income schools and private schools to help close the gap in education between socioeconomic backgrounds • Bring more qualified educators in to teach the children and provide them with a more quality education • Create more access to learning centers, more books and more classes outside of the general Math and Science related classes

17. Conclusion • The MENA regions have come a long way towards achieving their education goals. • They changes wont happen over night. • They are very achievable goals but it will take everyone’s commitment to make this work.