Parents: Your experience with schools in Hurghada???

I think, since you are from Germany, the best is the German school. Also the El Gouna International school is good, but more expensive than the German school.
Or check out some German forums:
isis-und-osiris.de/isisosiris/main/phpBB2/index.php?c=2 -IsisOsiris
forum.konsulate.de/forumdisplay.php?fid=55 -Konsulate
auswandern-webforum.de/forum/forum16.html - Auswandern
.aegypten-urlauber.de/forum/ - Aegypten

Geely,

Thank you so much for the links. Despite, my children are American and only speak English. At this point I doubt they would benefit from a German school.

I have heard about the El Gouna International School, but it's a bit too far out for us as well.

Anja

You can ask the German school, since you are a native German speaker, maybe it is possible. Otherwise I would recommend the El Gouna school (they have school buses) or the French school can be an option. You can use Google to find the websites of these schools. My children were in El Gouna school, after a year in St. Joseph school (I can't recommend that school). I have read not good info about Sunrise (maybe if you google, you will find info about that school) Otherwise there are not that many options.

Yes, I definitely would NOT recommend Sunrise either. I was a teacher for them for about two months, and yeah, I rather home school my kids than to consider sending them to Sunrise, if I would be that rich and could afford their horrendous tuition fees. It's just about the money for them, not about the children and the teaching methods...as long as you finish the stupid book within the specified time...doesn't matter if the kids would actually understand what you're teaching there! Ok, rant off...

Guess I will just have to consider homeschooling to the K12 system then...thanks for your honest input, Geely!

Salam alaykum / Hello to everybody,

Unfortunately it is not easy to find a school that is consistent with a Western pedagogical notion of education when it comes to the ME / Asia.

I worked as a teacher and curriculum coordinator in UK, then moved to the UAE and KSA.
It was a real shock to see that schools are set up by individuals who know nothing about education, and they see the setting up of schools as a way to get easy money. Nobody really cares about the kids, how or what they are taught.

Anybody who can teach through the medium of English and cover the curriculum hey...you have just been hired! I found my experience as teacher in the ME truly heart breaking. It does not matter how well reputed the school is, it will always try to cover up some mismanagement or failure. After all there are no inspections or any official body that will held them accountable.

Currently I do not have any children, but as a permanent resident in Hurghada, i've been wondering where my kid would go to school.

I guess the best option for homeschooling parents would be to form a group following a similar curriculum, and share activities. Most homeschooling parents cope until the child reaches secondary school level, then, they might simply not have the expertise to continue on further studies.

There are some online academies, mainly with Christian ethos, for about 2000 USD a year.

In terms of the quality of teaching and educational management in Hurghada, it is indeed rare to find a dedicated educator / professional relocating to the Red Sea, because, career wise, it has not much to offer. Most they relocate because they want to 'live in the sun', and so doing, they improvise themselves teachers or school managers.

When foreign women relocate often they open a 'nursery', so we end up with many offers for early years education, little offer for primary, and nearly no offer for secondary education.

Who wants to take responsibility for kids approaching the end of a course of studies?
When they will fail international examinations, who will tell the parents?

You will find many international schools claiming to follow the US or UK curriculum, taking up kids until the age of 13. Beyond that they won't take responsibilities.

What a shame!

Hi everybody,

I am currently working in an English SpLD school in Cairo as the specialist teacher. Previous to me moving to Cairo I was the lead Advisory Teacher for children with additional needs in South Suffolk in England.  I am a qualified and specialist English teacher with my main experience working with children aged 11 to 18years. 
I work as an Educational Consultant in Cairo where I assess and support children from the other International Schools and am qualfied to assess and diagnose any of the specific literacy difficultes.
I am moving back to Hurghada as I own a property there and will be availabe to give private tution or to teach a group of older pupils if we can sort this out. 
I will be travelling up to Cairo once a month to complete my work as an Eductional Consultant but am available the other times should you wish to sort out a provision for older pupils.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Caroline Clarke

Hi everyone,


I am in the same predicament. However I have decided to homeschool my child as well before we came to Hurghada. I hold a BSN in Nursing and also have plenty of experience teaching children throughout my schooling. I also have purchased my curriculum from everythinghomeschooling.com which only costs me only $16.00 US a year for a curriculum for ages k-12. It offers idea, material and idea for math, reading, social studies, science, art, life skills, and health. I am able to follow it along with coming up with my own ideas to incorporate within the lesson. Personally I had problems with the US school system which is why I choose this approach. Now my son is reading on a 4th grade reading level at age 7 and is able to learn better because I have incorporated games (computer, board games) to inforce the learning. So yes if you are determined to homeschool as well as other mothers, we could all share ideas where our children can have a better way to learn while we learn more about them and what works best for them.

is that home schooling site good.  when i move to hurgahda i will bring my 3 boys with me and im trying to find the best way of getting them a great education

Hi,
I am an experienced and qualified English Teacher about to start at El Gouna International School.  I am in charge of the Learning Support Department there and will be setting up a specialist Dyslexia Centre so please come and see me at the school should you need any help.  El Gouna School has a new Headteacher and it is a very exciting time with lots of new things planned for the future. 
I look forward to hearing from you,

Caroline Clarke

Hi CarolineI plan on moving in November with my three boys.  is El Gouna very expensive to send kids to.  Thats why i was looking in to home schooling.  The Dyslexia Centre sounds great as i have it and my 5yr old is showing signs of it.

Unfortunately all the schools in Egypt are expensive but the provision and the facilities at El Gouna are amazing and it is the one school which values children and will now provide for children with additional needs.  Please contact the head teacher and arrange to visit and you will see for yourself how fantastic it is.  I think you will get a discount the more children you send but contact him anyway and I can talk to you there about your sons dyslexia.  I am going to develop the school as a centre of excellence for training also and hopefully it will be the hub of excellent teaching as we will teach others through examples of excellent practice ourselves. 
Keep in touch and I look forward to meeting you very soon,

Caroline Clarke

so this home schooling site will work for someone schooling there children overseas.

Homeschool is definitely a great idea if you are moving to Hurghada.
Schools are garbage here comparing to Western standards. But comparing to Egyptian standards (dunno if they do have any), then they are great!

Huh!

Yeah great and anyone would talk about schools here and how they care for the kids and so forth, they are saying that because they didn't know better.
Homeschooling works anywhere in the world. Actually lot of celebrities homeschool their kids. But because we grew up only knowing the usual schools, we somehow reject the idea of homeschooling and think of it as a step in the wrong direction. When really, it's not!

Hiya,  I am really not sure about the costing's.  Please email the head teacher directly to get the fees. I think it is cheaper than a private school in England anyway. The school has had a big change in staff and the majority of teachers in the International section are British.  Therefore we bring the British standard of education with us, high in morals and values where we do place the children's needs first. You only have to walk around the school and talk to the children to know this.
You could arrange to have a Skype chat with the Head in the meantime and when you arrive in November come and have a look.  For me home schooling would be your last resort and you know you always have that option available to you.
I agree with the comments about the standard of schools here and its not just in Hurghada but Cairo also.  I worked in a school in Maadi and this was my first experience of the cut throat, money making, lying scheming supposedly poor excuse for schooling.  Our little school in Maadi was set up to support and help children with a specific learning difficulty and we could have filled the school three times over with children with a variety of learning difficulties.
Unfortunately the Egyptian Government closed the school and I was devastated and moved back to the UK but a year on I now have a chance to continue this work in El Gouna.  We as British teachers have to work within a system of corrupt individuals here in Egypt, who will take advantage of anyone in a vulnerable situation.  I am committed to providing what I feel is a very good service to support and educate your people with learning difficulties as cheaply as I can baring in mind the company over us, want to make a profit.
I am a genuine and caring person who has moved back to Egypt because there is such a need for my kind of skills here.  In England there are many specialist teachers so I know children there are included in the mainstream settings successfully.  Here there are very few people with my qualifications and experience and I genuinely want to help and make sure young people access what they should.
El Gouna School is a lovely school.  The facilities are wonderful and with all the new staff it is a great place.
So please come and have a look for yourself, speak to the children, teachers and parents and make your own mind up. Which ever decision you make will always be right for your children as you are their Mum and will always make the right decision for them.  I will always be here to support and help you even if you choose the home schooling route.
Keep in touch and I hope your move to Hurghada is a happy and successful one,
Kind regards,
Caroline

Hi Caroline Clarke,
i would love to make any contact with you, as i moved to elgouna 8 month ago, i have 4 boys 3 of them are attending the German School, & my eldest is (17 years & in grade 12) registered in an American school in Cairo, where he goes only to take his exams.
So i'm desperately searching for private tutoring for him, as this is his last school year, & offcourse you know how important this is.

hoping for your fast response,
best regards,
Dina Shawky

Caroline
I read a few of your posts and see that you are great enthusiast the school in El Gouna.
We are considering the next three years to live permanently in Hurghada.
I have two boys - 4 and 8 years old.
I need to choose a school for their training. School in El Gouna - one of the options. This is an expensive education for Hurghada, but I hope that this high level of education.
If we choose a school in El Gouna, we need to prepare children for the beginning of training - will require additional English classes that they could communicate with children and teachers.
I would like to learn more about the school and education system.
How is this possible?

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HI Erikabrio,

i know this is not the right forum to ask this question, but i noticed you mentioned that you have a permanent residence in Hurghada.
i wanted to know more about moving to Hurghada and the life and work there. where can i find information? how can i get support for relocating there?
what are the best areas to live? is it easy to find a job? do they have international companies there? where would i find a reliable real estate agent? what are the living costs?  what is a good salary package to have?

sorry for the many questions, but i'm trying to gather as much information as possible.

thanks,

I would be happy to find out more as hurgada appeals to me to work in and my son is almost 14, does have some special needs with learning, however I have not seen much improvement in the school he currently attends in the UK despite them having the extra teachers and he really does not like the school environment so I think home schooling is the way to go.

Hi, I run the Learning Support Department at El Gouna International School and we are developing this to an outreach centre for children with learning difficulties.  I am a specialist English teacher.
Please come and have a look at our school as it is a lovely environment for children to learn and grow.
Kind regards, Caroline

I will definately consider coming to take a look there!  Are the School fees quite costly I would like to know what the cost is for tuition as he would require extra learning support.  I would like to know what it is in English pounds to get an idea of the initial outlay.  How far is the School from Apartments and shops?

Charlotte

Hi Caroline,
I would love to be a part of El Gouna school staff. Not necessarily teaching, I am an experience Accounting professional. I wonder if you could guide me as to where to post my resume for future potentisl vacancies as the website was not very user friendly in that matter

Thanks a lot
Magy Harfoush

Hello Caroline!
I just saw your message... about your experience in schools.
Maybe you can help me?
Do you know a teacher (English) for special needs children? The French School of Hurghada has a class with 4 autists and 3 handicaped children from 8 to 16 years old and needs a teacher for next September... or do you know where to ask and search in Egypt?
Thank you very much in advance for your feedback !

Hi 1alam3,

I am special school trained and qualified to teach autistic children and those with physical disabilities but I am based at El Gouna International School. This is an area I was going to move into when I had set up the dyslexia and specialist support centre in the school which is taking me longer than expected.
Maybe we can do some joined up teaching across the two schools to help all the children?  We haven't got any children with autism or physical disabilities as yet but I  am keen to reach out and support and teach or provide training and support.
I am currently in the UK and back in Hurghada around 4th to the 7th August so lets get together and hopefully we can get a plan together where all the children will be able to access specialist support and teaching.

Kind regards,
Caroline Clarke
Specialist Teacher at El Gouna International School

Good morning Caroline,
Thank you for your quick feedback.
As the time is running, could give me your mail address and telephone number so we can communicate before your return in Egypt. Indeed, we need to make sure that we have someone for this class starting the school year, the 1rst of September.
Here is my mail address : ***
Waiting for your reply.. . Have a good day!
Pia (Amina)

Good morning Pia,
I am in the UK till the end of July so as soon as I am back in Hurghada I will contact you and we can meet up.
As said previously, I work for El Gouna International School and I am sure there could be someway where we could do some joined up teaching. I will need to discuss it with my Head teacher but I am keen to be involved as I am developing this provision at EGIS.
My kind regards,
Caroline

Dear Caroline!

Thank for you answer and enjoy your time in UK!

I will be waiting for your phone call

Take good care,

Pia

Good morning all

My family and I are planning on relocating to Hurghada - Megawish area and we were trying to find the very best schools for our 3 children. Having read the blog I feel very anxious and disheartened. I'm Irish and hubby is Egyptian but our children have alway had a British (Oxford) based education and our son is already in high school.  In your opinion, what would be the best course of action to take?

Good morning!

After reading your lines, I would say that The International School of El Gouna is the only one to consider for your children if you can afford it.

Good luck....

I thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post

Regards

Paula

Hi Paula,
I am Head of Learning Support at El Gouna International School and complete the pre-school entry assessments.
Please come and have a look at our school.  It is a lovely, caring school and we have great facilities. With a new dynamic British Head for both the school and the Primary section who are really making some excellent changes.
I am in the UK at the moment but back in Hurghada from 9th August. I will be in school from 23rd August starting the assessments so please come to our school and have a look. The children have to complete the assessments so I can see their level of English and Maths.
The children start back at school properly on 30th August.

Look forward to seeing you then,

Kind regards,

Caroline Clarke

Thank you so much for your reply Caroline. I truly appreciate it.  We leave on the 15th Aug going back Bahrain. We are not looking to start then this academic  year but I would be very keen to communicate with you via email if possible.  My background is in  higher education .... Admissions and  Examinations so you can see why my children's education is of the utmost importance to both my husband and myself.

Once again thank you and look forward to speaking with you again soon.

Kindest regards

Paula Badawi

Hi Paula,

Yes of course and no problem.  Please keep in touch and let me know when you are planning to arrive.

My kind regards,

Caroline Clarke

Hi there ,
I'm coming to stay in Hurghada in September with my 9 year old daughter and I would very much like to meet other mums with children that are home schooling !
I have study books and DVDs for the next school year curriculum , but I feel that Olivia ( my daughter) needs to make some friends for the social aspect of life ! 
Olivia is a very sociable English girl , she is very bouncy and full of life , she loves to swim and dance and play etc !  :-) Look forward to hearing from you !
Chris x

Hi ,
Would it be possible for my daughter to do the assessment in UK please?
We are in UK , moving to Hurghada in September .
She has been in priory school , Whippingham , Isle of Wight  ( private) for 5 years now , she's 9 yrs old.
She is of an average standard with her maths , but her reading and English level is 1 year above her actual age .
Many thanks ,

Chris Carretero .

Hi Chris,
I can't complete the assessments in the UK now as leaving for Hurghada on Friday and we complete them in school.  All pre-school assessments are free of charge and are used to level your child.  I am also Head of Learning Support so looking to see if there are any learning needs which I will need to support but it sounds like your daughter will be okay.
Please go on the schools website (El Gouna International School) and make contact and then when you arrive in Hurghada in September we can get the assessments completed and she can start school.  The pupils start school on 30th August.
There are many school buses which pick up and return the children who live outside of El Gouna so don't worry if you feel you live far away.  I also catch the school bus in as I live in Fayrouz which is about 20mins away from El Gouna.
Keep in touch and I look forward to hearing from you,

Caroline Clarke

Hi again Caroline. Paula here. ... I am pleasantly surprised to hear you live in Fayrouz as that's were we are at the minute and have a flat there. Would it be a huge imposition to be able to meet up with you before the 15th for a little chat before we leave for Bahrain? If it's a huge problem don't worry.  I will continue to be in contact with you via email.  Many thanks. Paula

Hi Paula,

Whow you are in Fayrouz????  Amazing!! I am in the UK at the moment and return in the early hours on Sunday.  I live on the Tiba resort at the back of the British Park restaurant.

Yes no problem with meeting up.  I can't leave you a private number on here but if you can leave your number with the door security in Tiba Royal I will call you Sunday afternoon.

My kind regards Paula,

Caroline