Real change starts with teachers: Insights from Egypt

Code School Finland trainers visiting the Giza Pyramids during the Cairo workshop.

No curriculum reform can succeed without investing in teacher professional development. It is the teachers, not just policy makers or researchers who ultimately bring change into the classroom. This was the central message we brought to a recent workshop we facilitated in Cairo in May 2025, as part of Egypt’s national effort to modernize its education system and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into upper secondary education.

Organized in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Education and supported by UNESCO’s International Bureau of Education (IBE), the workshop focused on developing a coding and AI curriculum for grades 10 to 12. Our team led the sessions, sharing practical methods and pedagogical strategies for teaching AI-related topics. We also demonstrated our approach to teacher training through sample lessons, which allowed participants to experience the methodology in action. These hands-on sessions were especially well received and sparked meaningful discussions among the attendees.

Addressing the challenges of curriculum reform

Modernizing an education system is a demanding process, especially in a country like Egypt, with over 25 million students enrolled in schools. In addition to the sheer scale, the country faces significant socioeconomic disparities between urban and rural areas, which affect access to quality education and digital infrastructure. Overcrowded classrooms and shortage of teachers pose real challenges to implementing new content and methods. The Ministry of Education is taking active steps to expand school infrastructure and hire more teachers. But infrastructure alone is not enough.

Equipping teachers with the right skills, tools, and confidence to teach new content like coding and AI is essential. When teachers are empowered, they can become agents of change. This is why teacher training must go hand in hand with curriculum design.

Workshop participants included ministry officials, curriculum developers, and classroom teachers.

Teachers at the heart of the process

One of the most encouraging aspects of the Cairo workshop was the inclusive approach adopted by the Egyptian authorities. The sessions brought together not only curriculum developers and ministry officials, but also everyday teachers from across the country. This openness to involving those who work directly with students is forward-thinking. It signals that teachers are no longer seen merely as implementers of curriculum, but as key stakeholders in shaping what and how students learn. At Code School Finland, we believe this collaborative model is the future of education reform.

Integrating AI into education

We’re proud to support Egypt in its efforts to build a future-oriented education system - and we’re ready to support other countries on the same path. Empowering teachers is at the core of our work. From Thailand to Mexico, Germany to Malaysia, we collaborate with educators who are bringing AI and coding into the classroom in practical, inclusive, and meaningful ways.

If you’re exploring how AI should fit into your national curriculum or school strategy, we’d love to share how our proven approach can support your goals.

Contact

Kaisu Pallaskallio
CEO Code School Finland
kaisu@codeschool.fi
+358 44 355 7355