Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab on Tuesday met with Education Minister Moheb el Rafie and chiefs of education directorates nationwide to discuss the ongoing preparations for the new academic year.

Educational discipline regulations will be applied firmly, the premier told the ministry officials.

Maintenance works will be completed in all schools, and the curriculum will focus on creativity and thinking skills rather than indoctrination, the education minister promised.

The academic year began only for education ministry officials, and any dereliction will not be allowed, Mahlab said.

Developing the educational process is not limited to building schools, but it also depends on upgrading the skills of teachers and providing the schools with modern educational equipment, he added.

The premier also asked the education minister to place schools at slum areas on top of the priorities in the repair works.

"We will not allow any delay of distributing school books," Mahlab warned.