A Survey of Secondary Systems in the Middle East

A Survey of Secondary Systems
in the Middle East:
Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, and Syria
Charles L. Hoehnen, Evaluator
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
NAFSA V Conference
Grand Rapids, Michigan
October 29-31st, 2014
Vowels
Consonants
Arabic Alphabet
2
3
Numbers
2014 =
4
Guide to Reading Arabic
• Arabic script runs from right to left.
• Names can be transliterated differently into English, such as
Muhammad and Mohamed.
– Example: ‫ محمد‬can be transliterated as Muhammad, Mohammed,
etc. The only letters used to write this name here are [m] [h] [m]
and [d] (from right to left). Unstressed vowels are omitted from
script.
• Only stressed vowels are written letters: ‫[ ا‬a], ‫[ ي‬i], and ‫[ و‬u]. These
are usually pronounced in words as “aah,” “eeh,” and “ooh.”
• Unstressed vowels are represented by diacritical marks and are
normally omitted from the script:
– Example: ‫[ َكاتِب‬ka:tib] (book) where the unstressed [i] is designated
by the small slash under the letter ‫[ ت‬t]. That slash is usually
omitted from normal script.
5
Reading Arabic, cont.
• Letters change form depending on their position in the
word: initial, medial, final, or isolated. In Arabic letters
usually connect to the previous or subsequent letters.
However, a handful of letters do not connect.
Example: [sh…h…a…d….t] uses the following letters (isolated forms
shown from right to left): … ‫…ة‬. ‫…ا…د‬.‫ش… ه‬
The actual word looks like this: ‫[شهادة‬shahadat]. (“sh” and “h” connect
to the left so they changed form slightly.)
Stressed “a” and “d” do not connect to the left so they remained in
nearly their original form.
• When words need to fill a certain space, some of the letters
may be extended, or stretched, beyond their normal length.
6
Shahadat (Certificate)
‫ة‬
‫د‬
‫ا‬
‫ه‬
‫ش‬
t
d
a
h
sh
‫شهادة‬
‫شهادة‬
shahadat
IRAQ
Diagram of the Educational
System of Iraq
Source: https://aei.gov.au/cep/Pages/default.aspx CEP online
(Australian International)
8
9
Primary and Secondary Education
• 6 years of primary education leading to the Primary
Certificate (‫) شهادة اإلبتدائية‬
• 3 years of intermediate education leading to the
Intermediate Baccalaureate (‫ المرحلة المتوسطة‬/ ‫وثيقة مدرسية‬
)
• 3-year preparatory education leading to the
Secondary School Certificate ( ‫ المرحلة‬/ ‫وثيقة مدرسية‬
‫ ) اإلعدادية‬also known as the Preparatory
Baccalaureate
–
Specialization stream chosen after the first year: literary stream (‫ ) األدبي‬or the exact sciences stream (‫) العلمي‬
• 3-year vocational education leading to the Vocational
Baccalaureate ) ‫ اإلعدادية المهنية‬/ ‫) وثيقة مدرسية‬
–
Vocational programs in the following areas: technology (‫ ) صناعة‬commerce (‫ ) تجارة‬or agriculture (‫) زراعة‬
Grading at the secondary level is 0-100, with 50 and higher passing.
10
Secondary Certificates, Baghdad and KRG
11
Ministerial exam results
Republic of Iraq
Ministry of Education
School Certificate
Ministerial
Examination
Examination year of
2012/2013
Courses
Grades (numerical and written out)
School end date: September 4, 2013
Secondary School exam and certificate, issued
in 2013 for 1995 results
12
Grading at the Intermediate and Preparatory
Levels
Percentage
Suggested U.S Equivalent
90-100
A
80-89
A
70-79
B
60-69
C
50-59
D
0-49
F
13
14
Confirmed Falsified
Secondary School Certificate
15
Other issues and concerns
• School year in non-ISIS controlled areas is expected to
begin as usual (latest information is after Eid holidays
in mid-October)
• Not all 2014 examination results are available
• Institutions in ISIS controlled areas are not expected to
open, or open under ISIS direction/curricula
• Databases may or may not be available
• Most university personnel in ISIS-controlled areas,
including Mosul University staff, have fled
• Universities closed: Mosul, Nineveh, Tikrit, Al Fallujah,
Al-Anbar, Samarrah, Diyalah; also technical colleges in
Mosul
16
Resources
• NAFSA 2012 online guide:
http://www.nafsa.org/Resource_Library_Assets/Publicat
ions_Library/Online_Guide_to_Educational_Systems_Arou
nd_the_World/
• Foundation of Technical Education:
http://www.fte.edu.iq/
• NUFFIC Country Profiles:
http://www.nuffic.nl/en/diploma-recognition/countrymodules
• UNESCO:
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002114/2114
39e.pdf
• IIE Scholar Rescue Fund:
http://www.iie.org/Programs/Scholar-Rescue-Fund
17
EGYPT
18
Egypt Educational
Diagram
From AEI CEP
Secondary Education
• Overseen by the Ministry of Education: http://www.moe.gov.eg/
• Structure: 6+3+3
• Academic, Technical & Religious Tracks
• Traditionally, only the Academic option led to enrollment in
higher education
• Academic Option leaving credential: thaanawiya 'amma
(Certificate of Completion of General Secondary Education)
• Technical Option leaving credential: Technical Education
School Certificate for 3 year programs; Advanced Technical
Diploma for 5 year programs
19
20
Secondary Grading Scale
General Secondary Certificate Examination, 2006/2007
Examination Completion Certificate, General Secondary Education
Ministry of Education
Student Scores in the First and Second Stages
Student’s name in Arabic
Student’s name in English
for the years
Maximum/Minimum Marks
Marks Obtained
21
22
General Secondary Education Certificate Examination
Certificate of Completion of General Secondary Education, Second Stage
Cairo Governorate
23
24
25
Secondary School Diploma, 2006
Ministry of Education
Examination for Certificate of Completion of Secondary School
26
Translation
Resources
• Older resources:
– Education in the Arab World Vol. I by AMIDEAST (Leslie
Nucho, Editor)
– AACRAO World Education Series: Arab Republic of
Egypt, 1988 (Lee Wilcox)
• Newer resources:
– NAFSA Online Guide to Educational Systems (Egypt):
http://www.nafsa.org/Resource_Library_Assets/Public
ations_Library/Online_Guide_to_Educational_Systems_A
round_the_World/
– The Connection: https://theconnection.ece.org/
27
LIBYA
Recent Events
In March 2011, a
National Transitional
Council was formed
in Benghazi with the
stated aim of
overthrowing the
Qaddafi regime and
guiding the country
to democracy.
per CIA World Factbook and BBC News
In mid-September 2011, the
UN General Assembly voted
to recognize the Council as
the legitimate interim
governing body of Libya.
In August 2012, the NTC
handed over power to
Libya’s newly elected
parliament, the General
National Congress.
Current Events:
The Effect on Education
• “The dilemma facing Libyan higher education is one facet of the battle between
forces vying to control different regions in the vacuum left by Qaddafi’s death.
The government’s army has far less firepower than the many warring militias.
The war has eroded education & much of the rest of civil society over the past
year.”
• Many students are not attending school because of warring militias. Some are
taking part in the fighting while others simply feel unsafe just getting to school.
• Benghazi education officials recently issued a report that said 63,000
students and more than 8,500 teachers would not be able to go to schools
in conflict zones. Some displaced students will go to schools in other cities
though many do not know where or how to do this.
• Hundreds of primary and secondary schools have also closed indefinitely or
postponed classes until late September.
*Source: Al-Fanar Media (Reda Fhelboom, 15 September 2014)
Educational
Structure
from AEI CEP
Primary & Secondary Education
• 3 years of Upper Secondary (following 9 years of
basic education), resulting in the Secondary
Education Certificate (also known as the
Secondary School Certificate Examination or
Form of Student Success for the Certificate of
Completion of Secondary Education)
• Streams: Literary, Scientific, Specialized
• Vocational Secondary Education results in an
Intermediate Training Diploma
Secondary Grading
Percentage Grade (Libya)
Suggested U.S. Equivalent
85-100
A
75-84
A
65-74
B
50-64
C
0-49
F
*Note: Some courses can be passed with a 40-49%.
Minimum marks are noted on the document for each
subject.
Secondary School
Certificate Examination
(2000)
Translation
Form of Student Success,
confirming completion of the
Secondary Education
Certificate, Division of
Engineering Sciences (2010)
Translation
National Transitional Council
Secondary Document & Translation
Ministry of Education
Secondary Document & Translation
Regulatory Bodies
• General People’s Committee for Education
(formerly)
• Ministry of Education: http://www.edu.gov.ly/
• Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific
Research: http://highereducation.gov.ly/
• National Board for Technical and Vocational
Education: http://www.tve.gov.ly/
• QAA (quality assurance & accreditation body):
http://www.qaa.ly/
Resources
• Education USA Middle East North Africa office:
http://www.educationusa.info/MENA
• QAA (includes listing of recognized institutions):
http://www.qaa.ly/
– Public Universities list:
http://www.qaa.ly/index.php/home/details/gov_organizations/
116
• Embassy: http://libya.usembassy.gov/edu_advising.html
• Ministry of Education: http://edu.gov.ly/ar/
• UNESCO World Data on Education Profile:
http://www.ibe.unesco.org/Countries/WDE/2006/index.
html
42
LEBANON
43
Lebanon Educational
Diagram
American and French style
systems both used
Ministry of Education and
Higher Education:
http://www.higheredu.gov.lb/english/default.ht
m
From AEI CEP
Primary and Secondary Education
• School education - 3+6+3+3 pattern of pre-primary, primary,
intermediate and secondary education.
• Primary
– Six years (ages 6-12) The following subjects are taken in each year
• Intermediate
– Three years (ages 13-15)
– both academic and technical/vocational streams
– Qualification: Brevet d’Études,
• Secondary
– Three years (ages 16-18) (grades 10-12)
– Qualification: Baccalauréat Libanais (Lebanese General Secondary
Certificate)
– Before 1991, students sat the Baccalauréat I in Grade 11 and the
Baccalauréat II examination at the end of Grade 12
44
General Secondary Education Certificate
Sociology and Economics Section, 2010
45
General Secondary Education Certificate
Life Sciences Section, 2010
46
47
Exercise!
This is a sample of an old
Lebanese Baccalaureate.
Which year did this
student take the
examination?
Examination Issues
I. In 2014 the teachers went on strike before grading the GSEC exams, leaving the students
in limbo. There appear to be a couple different options:
1. Original candidacy card
2. Document "certificate authorizing them to continue their studies in the universities
inside and outside Lebanon"
Translated as "Authorize them to continue their studies in the universities inside and
outside Lebanon based on the Decree Number 401 dated 28/8/2014 issued by the council
of ministers and the decision Number 781/m/2014 dated 26/8/2014 issued by the
ministry of Education and higher Education in Lebanon"
Examination Issues (cont.)
II. Missing examination years:
Baccalaureate,
The Part I exam was not given from 1987 until it was permanently cancelled in 1991
The Part II exam was not given between 1987 and 1989, but it was given one final time
in 1990 before it was offered as just the Lebanese Baccalaureate in subsequent years
(until it became the GSEC).
[AMIDEAST, Education in the Arab World (page 501)]
50
SYRIA
51
Primary and Secondary Education Structure
3 years
3 years
6 years
preparatory
primary education
intermediate
education
upper secondary
education
Academic/Vocational
Academic Qualification:
‫الشهادة الدراسة الثانوية العامة‬
General Secondary Education Certificate
Sections:
Scientific
Literary
Secondary Education
Student Assessment
 minimum passing score for Arabic is 50%
 minimum passing score for other subjects is 40%
 Passing the general secondary examination requires a passing score in
Arabic and in all but one of the other subjects, or a passing score in
Arabic and all but two of the other subjects as long as the combined
score for the failed subjects is at least 25%.
Secondary Scale
Syria
US Grade
80-100
A
65-79
B
50-64
C
40-49
D
0-39
F
52
53
Ministry of Education
General Secondary Education Certificate
General
Secondary
Education
Certificate
Scientific section
54
Translation
Certificate Affidavit
with Examination Results
General Secondary Education Certificate
Scientific Section
Ministry of Education
55
56
Translation
Certificate of
Vocational Secondary Education
57
58
Translation
Challenges Part 1
Transcripts
Now: Some students have fled without
any documents.
Pre-crisis: Syrian
institutions issued one
set of original
documents. Students
would take originals to
institutions to obtain
certified copies and
have them stamped by
MFA
• Students may have one set of
transcripts but sometimes cannot
obtain certified copies
• Students living outside of Damascus
cannot get them certified by MFA
• If high school has closed, cannot obtain
transcripts
• Difficulty of verifying credentials
• Syrian National Council secondary
examinations and certificate?
59
Other Issues
-
-
-
U.S. Embassy in Syria has suspended operations--Need to apply outside of Syria
Syrian passport renewal issues
Syrian students in USA on tourist visa need to adjust
status
Students with asylum can apply for FAFSA
IIE Scholar Rescue Fund:Program for threatened
academics and scholars
Increase in number of Iraqi and Syrian SRF
applications
Open call for institutions to become host partners
More info:
-
http://www.iie.org/Programs/Scholar-Rescue-Fund
60
Grade Point Average Calcualtion
• For examinations which represent completion of
the entirety of secondary/upper secondary,
recommend weighting the examinations by marks
or coefficients.
• Check resources for curriculums. For example Iraq,
ECE 1988, UNESCO pdf ref. above.
‫ – شكرا‬Thank you
theconnection.ece.org
www.ece.org/presentations
Saudi Arabia
Educational Diagram
[from The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Its Educational System and Methods of Evaluation (ECE)]
Documentation
• Most documents can be issued in English or
bilingual format
• Official secondary documentation is issued by the
Ministry of Education
• International schools will typically issue
documentation in home country format
• Post-secondary documentation is issued by the
institution
– Usually in English
– Teacher training program documentation often reissued
Secondary Education
• Intermediate (grades 7-9)
• Upper secondary (grades 10-12)
Secondary School Type
Curriculum
Government schools
MOE curriculum
Saudi private schools
MOE curriculum, and may
offer extra subjects
Saudi schools granted special
permission
School’s own curriculum
Tatweer model schools
New MOE curriculum
International schools
Various curricula (US-style, IB,
UK exam boards, etc.)
Secondary grading
Percentage
Description
Translation
Suggested US
equivalent
90-100
‫ممتاز‬
Excellent
A
75-89
‫جيد جدا‬
Very Good
B
60-74
‫جيد‬
Good
C
50-59
‫مقبول‬
Pass
D
0-49
‫راسب‬
Fail
F
General Secondary School
Transcript; common format
used approximately 2000 to
2010
The most common format
for secondary results used
from approximately 2000
to 2010 included the
subject titles and two rows
of grades, labeled
“Weighted Mark” and
“Obtained Mark.” From
this information the
weighting of each subject
can be determined.
Certificate of Completion of Secondary Education
(Credit System); common format used since
approximately 2008 (Arabic example)
1. In the name of Allah the Most Gracious
and Merciful
2. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
3. Ministry of Education
4. Department of Education
5. Riyadh District
6. (Boys)
7. Certificate of Completion of Secondary
School (Credit System)
8. The Department of Education in Riyadh
testifies that the student
9. [Student’s name]
10. Born in Dharma
11. [Date of birth]
12. Saudi national
13. And national ID number/passport number
14. [student’s number]
15. Has successfully completed secondary
school (credit system)
16. Natural Science stream
17. In the second semester
18. Academic year
19. 1428/1429 (2007/2008)
20. From the Shifa district
21. And obtained an overall grade average of
97.16%
22. Grade of Excellent
23. And was consequently awarded this
certificate
24. School Director [signature]
25. General Manager of Department of
Education [signature]
26. Ministry of Education, Shifa district seal
In the new “Credit
General Secondary Education
System” format,
Certificate (Credit System), Transcript;
complete
results
aresince
common format
used
approximately
2008
shown for each
subject
studied throughout the
three years of upper
secondary school
(grades 10-12). Each
course is weighted
equally as it applies to
the overall GPA; 75.5%
in this example.