MINUTES CONCERNING
MINI-PROJECT TYPE TECHNICAL COOPERATION
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVITY LESSONS
OR PRIMARY EDUCATION
IN THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

In response to the request of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, concerning the Mini-Project-Type Technical Cooperation for THE DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVITY LESSONS FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION (hereafter referred to as "the Project"), the Resident Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (hereafter referred to as "JICA") in the Arab Republic of Egypt had a series o f discussions on the Project with the officials concerned of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for the purpose of working out the detaiis of the technical cooperation program.
As a result of the discussions, both parties agreed to recommend to their respective Governments the matters referred to in the document attached hereto.



CAIRO, October, ,2, 1997.





Mr. Shinichi SUZUKi Resident Representative, JICA Egypt Office

Prof. Dr. Nadia Gamal El-Din Director, National Centre of Education Research and Development, The Arab Republic of Egypt

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ATTACHMENT

1. PROJECT TITLE:
   Mini-Project-Type Technical Cooperation for the Development of Creativity Lessons for Primary Education in the Arab Republic of. Egypt
   
   
2. PERIOD OF COOPERATION:
   3 years
   from December 1, 1997 to November 30, 2000
   
   
3. PROJECT SITE:
   National Centre for Education Research and Development (NCERD), Ministry of Education
   
   
4. APPLICATION OF AGREEMENT:
   This Project is to be carried out pursuant to THE AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE COVERNMENT OF JAPAN AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT signed on June 15, 1983.
   
   
5. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT:
   (1) Overall Goal
   Improvement of the teaching methods in primary education through the improvement of in-service teachers' training utilizing the newly compiled teaching guidebooks.
   (2) Project Purpose
   Development of creativity lessons and teaching materials of science and mathematics for primary education through the compilation of teaching methods and teaching materials guidebooks.
   
   
6. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT:
   Education has been regarded as one of the most important subjects and given high priority in the national project in the Arab Republic of Egypt. In Egypt, the literacy rate is low although the rate of the school enrollment ratio is rather higher than those of neighboring countries.
   Thus, cooperation in the field of primary education was requested to Japan. In accordance with the request, JICA conducted research to look into the present educational situation in Egypt by sending a project formulation mission in 1992 and assigning a local technical advisor in 1995. As a result of the two studies, it is realized that it is necessary to acquire more detailed information in order to start a new cooperatioj in the fieid of education. From 1996 to 1997, 3 short-term experts worked with the staff of the Ministry of Education and conducted detaiied study to determine the type of project which Japan would be able to cooperate under the scheme of expert dispaching program. Also, in March 1996, the Minister of Education visited Japan and emphasized his country's desire for the cooperation in this field.
   The study finally revealed that one of the biggest problems which Egypt is facing now is that teachers' teaching methods are not sufficient and that it is necessary to develop their abflity to create and innovate lessons and teaching materials for science and mathematics for primary education.
   
   
7. SCOPE OF TECHNICAL OOOPERATION:
   (2) Analysis of the present situation of science and mathematics in primary education
   - To monitor classroom activities.
   - To gather and analyze existing teaching guidebooks.
   - To interview inspectors and teachers.
   - To gather and analyze teaching materials.
   (3) Technical transfer of teaching methods to Egyptian counterpart staff.
   - To give presentations on mathematics and science education in Japan.
   - To analyze present teaching methods and basic theory of mathematics and science education in Egypt.
   - To compare the Egyptian and Japanese teaching methods and to extract what can be attributed to Egypt.
   - To plan and manage seminars on teaching methods.
   (4) Compilation of teaching methods and teaching materials guidebooks.
   - To decide upon the important units to be included in the gufdebooks.
   - To draft the guidebooks in consultation with the Steering Committee and Seminars
   - To conduct experimental classes to check the draft of the guidebooks.
   (5) Research on the improvement of in-service teachers' training utilizing the newly compiled guidebooks.
   - To study and analyze actual teachers' training system.
   - To study other donors' activfties in the fieid of teachers' training and analyze the results.
   - To draft an improvement plan for teachers' training based on discussions with the Steering Committee and Seminars.
   
   
8. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN:
   In accordance with the laws and regulations fn force in Japan and through the normal procedures under its Technical Cooperation Scheme, the Government of Japan will take the following measures, through JICA.
   (1) Dispatch of Japanese experts
   To provide at its own expense services of the Japanese experts for the purpose of technical cooperation in the fields referred to in paragraph 10.
   (2) Provision of machinery, equipment and other materials
   To provide at its own expense such machinery, equipment and other materials necessary for implementation of the Project as listed in ANNEX III.
   (3) Trainfng of counterpart staff in Japan
   To receive at its own expense the Arab Republic of Egypt staff of the Project for technical training in Japan.
   
   
9. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BY THE COVERNMENT OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
   In accordance with the laws and regulations in force in the Arab Republic of Egypt, the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt wili take the following measures at its own expense.
   (1) Provision of land and facilities
   To provide land and facilities as indicated in ANNEX II.
   (2) Provision of equipment
   To supply or replace machinery, equipment, instruments, vehicles, tools, spare parts and other materials necessary for implementation of the Project other than those provided through JICA under Paragraph 8(2) above.
   (3) Running expenses
   To meet running expenses necessary for implementation of the Project.
   (4) Assignment of counterparts
   To assign at least one counterpart staff member to each Japanese expert.
   (5) Provision of urban transportation faciiities
   To provide urban transportation facilities for the Japanese experts.
   
   
10. THE FIELDS TO WHICH JAPANESE EXPERTS ARE TO BE ASSIGNED:

    (1) Science Education	(Iong term)	1
    	(short term)	a few
    (2) Mathematics Education	(long term)	1
    	(short term)	a few
    (3) Pedagogy	(short term)	a few

    
    NOTE:
    (1) The Japanese Team leader will be designated from the above experts.
    (2) Short-term experts may also be additionally assigned when necessary for the smooth implementation of the Project.
    
    
11. ASSIGNMENT OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT OOUNTERPART STAFF:

    (1) Project Manager	1
    (2) Science Education	1
    (3) Mathematics Education	1
    (4) In-Service Teachers' Training	1

    
    NOTE:
    Administrative and support staff will be additionally assigned by the Arab Republic of Egypt side.
    
    
12. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROJECT:
    Minister of Education titled NCERD to be the overall responsible agency for implementation of the Project.
    The Project Manager of the Mini-Project Technical Cooperation for the Development of Creativity Lessons and Teaching Materials for Primary Education, Dr. Nadia Gamal El-Din, the Director of the National Centre for Education Research and Development, will be responsible for the administrative and managerial matters of the project.
    The Japanese experts will give necessary technical guidance and advice to the Arab Republic of Egypt counterpart staff on matters relating to the Project.
    The Resident Representative of JICA in the Arab Republic of Egypt will undertake the role of an advisor and coordinator for successful implementation of the Project.
    
    NOTE:
    For the successful implementation of the Project, Egyptian side and Japanese side shall establish a steering committee consisting of the following members.
    The committee will be held periodically to exchange views and take necessary measures for the effective implementation of the Project.
    
    Egyptian side;
    Dr. Nadia Y. Gamal El-Din,
    Director of National Center of Education Research and Development (NCERD)
    
    Mr. M. Ragab Sharaby,
    First Undersecretary of Ministry of Education
    
    Dr. Isam R. Hamza,
    Adviser to the Minister of Education
    
    Dr. Thoraya El-Atroushy,
    Director of General Directorate for Training
    
    Dr. Aida Abou-Gharib,
    Head of Curriculum Development Division, NCERD
    
    Japanese side;
    Mr. Shinichi Suzuki,
    Resident Representative of JICA Egypt Office
    
    JICA Experts of the Project
    
    
13. MUTUAL CONSULTATION:
    There will be mutual consultation between both sides on any major issues arising from, or in connection with this document.