The document discusses preparing creative and practically-oriented students for suitable higher education specializations. It proposes delivering Edexcel BTEC qualifications at the high school level to prepare students for careers in fields like creative media, sports, design, arts, fashion and ICT. The BTEC model focuses on applied learning, work experience and fewer exams. It then suggests offering higher national diplomas and degree diplomas at the university level, plus a year of work placement. Case studies provide examples of schools successfully implementing the BTEC model in Egypt and Dubai.

1. How to prepare the Creative and
Practical– oriented students to the
suitable Higher Education
Specializations
By Jailan Gamal El Din – Applied
Learning Expert
Feb 2016

2. Who we are?
• Independent Applied Learning Expert working with
Edexcel and Finnish Learning educators to expand their
internationally recognized Applied Learning Practices
into Egypt and the Arab Region.
• www./linkedin/Jailangamaleldin
• I have been engaged into a major national project in
Egypt to implement Edexcel BTEC qualifications funded
by the Education Development Fund – Cabinet of
Egyptian Ministers. 2009-2011
• https://www.facebook.com/Amireya.ITEC?hc_location
=stream

3. I have worked with:
• The Integrated Technical Education Cluster of
Ameeria, Cairo. Funded by EDF – Cabinet of
Egyptian Ministers. 2009-2011
• Syrian Virtual University. 2008-2011
• Education Development Fund to expand the
Edexcel BTEC model into Suez Technical
Schools, College and training provider under
the Ministry of Petroleum. 2010

4. My Philosophy is aligned with
Edexcel’s Philosophy
Why are Edexcel BTEC qualifications so special and valued
by worldwide employers and education providers who
deliver the programmes?
• Active learning process, students learn how to learn
• Students get involved in their programme
• Related to their work
• High retention and achievement rates
• Programmes are very successful
• 75% employment rate for the holders of the
qualifications.

5. The Main Question
???
• Are private schools delivering the post 16
education - preparing the aspiring; creative
and applied & Practically oriented students to
the suitable career opportunities?
• Are they choosing the right Academic Route to
pursue their specializations goals in Sports,
Creative Media Production, Arts, Design,
Fashion, ICT at the universities and
workplace?

6. Focus on Educational issues
• Facts about Private High Schools in Egypt:
• 129 schools that provide American Diploma
• 117 Schools that provide Cambridge
International Examinations IG/A levels
• 50 Schools that provide Edexcel IG/A levels
• 250 Schools that provide National Secondary
Certification (Thanawya Amma)

7. Continued – focus on Post 16
Educational issues
• 200,000 students are into the post 16 education – Private
Schools
• High Fail rate ----Why?
• American Diploma Structure:
• SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a University preparation.
• Year 10 Students study 8 subjects which carry 60% of the
overall linear grade.
• IN Years 11 and 12 the school prepares the students for the
SAT.
• SAT preparation is weak and puts stress over the
households.

8. • Years 10 and 11 workload is greater that in
Year 12.
• IG and A levels, Thanawya subjects put focus
on preparing the students to the tests.
• Low focus on the work skills.
• Thanawya Amma subjects are outdated and
not reflective of new knowledge and skills
required for 21st Century

9. • 17 Private Universities are offering places for
the 200K students each year.
• 5% of the international qualification graduates
are offered places in State Universities.
• Specializations in the Higher Education such as
: Applied Arts, Creative Media, Marketing,
Business, ICT, IT Management, are getting
more attention from the students.

10. • Are private schools preparing the aspiring;
creative and applied oriented students to the
suitable HE and workplace?

11. Business Model for:
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Diploma Subjects
• Customer Segment:
• Students entering year 11 – age 16+
• Students who have a clear line of sight to their
future career or are planning to progress
through higher education.
• Students who are counseled to pursue a
creative and applied learning track to
specialize into: Creative Media Production,
Sports, Design, Arts, Fashion, Business, ICT.

12. How are the students assessed?
• The preferred learning style:
– Formative Assessment
– Few end of course examinations
– Applied Learning
– Work experience

13. Example of the Specifications of the
course
• http://qualifications.pearson.com/content/da
m/pdf/BTEC-Nationals/Creative-Media-
Production/2010/Specification/Unit_8_Under
standing_the_Television_and_Film_Industries.
pdf

14. What’s next after the International
Diploma
• A University will offer:
• Edexcel Level 5 Higher National Diploma for 2
years + One year at Work experience + One
year Level 6 Diploma to achieve the bachelor
degree:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/d
am/pdf/BTEC%20Professional/BA035182-
BTEC-L6Dips-Eng-Issue4-spec.pdf

15. How the Model operates?
• At the High School Level:
– Pilot the 5 subjects BTEC Level 3 delivered at
Grades 11 and 12 that are taught by trained
instructors in one of the Future International
Schools.
• At the University:
– Pilot the Higher National Diploma and Degree
Diploma LEVE 6 + One year of workplacement.

16. Quality Assurance and Accreditation
• The Accreditation Partner is Edexcel – Pearson.
• Becoming a Center Expression of Interest is
submitted – Feb 2016
• Selection and Recruitment of qualified Quality
Manager and instructors –March 2016
• Edexcel BTEC Center Recognition Application is
submitted – March 2016
• Edexcel Approval Visit – April 2016
• Edexcel BTEC Implementation Training – May
2016

17. Operational Milestones – March 2016
and Ongoing
• Procurement of equipment to teach the following
subjects: Sports, Creative Media, Arts, Fashion,
ICT, Business, Design, Culinary & Cooking.
• Recognition and Approval by the Egyptian
Supreme Council of Universities, and Ministry of
Education.
• Agreements with Corporate leaders to arrange
for the practical assignments and links for the
Grades 11 and12 students and for the work
placements for the University Students.

18. Case Study 1
• Edexcel BTEC Integrated Technical Education Cluster of
Ameeria – Cairo, Egypt
• https://www.facebook.com/Amireya.ITEC/timeline
• Established in 1960s
• In 2009 – 1st Enrolment of 300 students for
Internationally recognized qualifications
• Teaching Edexcel BTEC in Engineering Studies at High
Technical School. (3 years)
• Teaching Edexcel Higher National Diploma at the
Faculty of Technology. (2 years + 1 year of Work
placement + 1 year of Bachelor degree)

19. Continued – Case Study 1
• Local Partner: Egyptian Education Development
Fund - Cabinet of Ministers
• Main Goal:
• Establish a Center of Excellence in Egypt with
modernized Vocational qualifications for Post 16
Education and Post School Level.
• Become a Resources Center Flagship of
Modernized Vocational Education and Training
that is accredited by Edexcel in Egypt and the
Region.

20. Case Study 2
• GEMS Cambridge School in Dubai
• Teaching Edexcel BTEC levels 2 and 3 to students
to combine their A Levels theoretical studies with
the BTEC practical based qualifications.
• Local Partner: GEMS Foundation – Dubai
• Main Goal: to open a wider and global
opportunities for the high school students to
apply their knowledge and skill creatively and
practically, whilst being recognized
internationally.