Education Minister Mahmoud Abul Nasr said on Thursday that the decision to extend the mid term holiday until 8 March instead of 22 February came as per Cabinet’s instructions due to the fact that universities have not yet completed the necessary security measures.
“It was not because of the swine flu,” he said, adding that the health minister did not present such a request to the Cabinet. “She said rising temperatures will reduce the spread of the disease.”
“Neither the students nor the teachers would have more work to do as a result of that decision,” he said, explaining that the ministry is readjusting the curricula to fit in the second semester.
He also said the second semester would not be extended to make up for the delay.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
