Egypt's Government Teams Up with iSchool and ILO to Boost Kids' Digital Skills

The Egyptian government, represented by the Ministry of Labor, has launched an exciting new initiative to empower children through technology education and digital skill development. This effort is a collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and iSchool, and also involves the Ministry of Social Solidarity. It's all part of the state's bigger plan to fight child labor and prepare a generation ready for the demands of the digital economy. This announcement was made during the “iSchool Digital Future Forum” held in Cairo. Key attendees included Hassan Shehata, the Minister of Labor; Margaret Sarofim, Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity; and Eric Oechslin, Director of the ILO Office in Cairo, alongside representatives from international organizations, the private sector, and development partners. The Minister of Labor emphasized that this initiative truly shows the government's belief in the importance of working together – with the government, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society. He highlighted that investing in people and building their capabilities from a young age is especially crucial. He added that, under the guidance of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the state is committed to providing real opportunities for children to learn programming, artificial intelligence, and modern technology. This will open up wider horizons for a brighter future for them. Shehata also pointed out that protecting children is a top priority for the state. He explained that Labor Law No. 14 of 2025 sets strict rules, prohibiting children under fifteen from working. It also regulates their training to ensure it doesn't negatively impact their education or natural development, aligning perfectly with international labor standards. He stressed that the government's role extends to “proactive empowerment” by offering safe educational and training pathways. These pathways will enable children to learn, grow, and join the digital economy safely and legally.

Building Capabilities and Opening New Horizons

Engineer Margaret Sarofim expressed the great importance of this initiative. She stressed that truly empowering children means building their capabilities and opening up new opportunities for a dignified life, especially for those most in need. She clarified that the Ministry of Social Solidarity supported the pilot program by providing logistical needs and working with partners to offer a complete educational experience that combines digital learning with preparation for the job market. For his part, Eric Oechslin affirmed that investing in children, especially those most at risk, is a fundamental pillar for protecting their rights and strengthening communities' resilience. He noted that the program aims to expand access to quality education and develop skills relevant to the future of work. Mohamed Gawish, Co-founder and CEO of iSchool, announced the launch of this joint project. He explained that it aims to empower children and young people at risk of child labor through technology education and digital skill-building. He added that the project starts with a foundational training program in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and life skills. It then progresses to specialized training in programming and artificial intelligence, alongside preparing participants for legal and safe freelancing through digital platforms. He emphasized that this initiative is a model that can be expanded nationwide. Gawish further confirmed that the project seeks to shift children's paths from early labor to paths based on education and economic empowerment, thereby supporting the state's efforts to achieve sustainable development.