President Sisi wants 'respect for others' to be taught in Egypt's schools

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has decided "respect for others" should be taught across the country's schools. 

Sisi announced his vision for education on the sidelines of a celebration Tuesday for people with disabilities in Egypt, CNN Arabic reported.

"I am well aware that a society which values its children who need special support and provides them with support and care, is a society which is closest to achieving high rates of development and progress," Sisi said in his speech at the celebration.

"I take this opportunity to assure the state is acting in this regard, and I call on the government to consolidate and reinforce these executive measures," he added, in comments shared by Egyptian state television.

His proposed measures include raising awareness on the issue in the education sector and increasing the capabilities of teachers and schools to help children with disabilities.

Out of Egypt's population of around 93 million, an estimated 14 million have some form of disability, according to local activists. Three-quarters of them have a mental disability.

The authorities have jailed thousands of Morsi's supporters as well as liberal and secular activists, including a popular blogger, actors, singers and journalists. 

In September and October, thousands of people were arrested in a crackdown by Egyptian security forces which followed anti-Sisi protests.

The protests were prompted by the publication of the "Palacegate" videos, in which construction contractor Mohamed Ali revealed that Sisi and his family members had been using public funds to build luxurious palaces at a time when poverty rates in Egypt had been increasing.

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