Egypt is unable to handle its enormous student population on a full-day basis, so the school day is divided into two sessions. Children study for a half-day and learn a craft such as carpet weaving in the other half. All of these children are getting a proper education and learning a valuable skill. The vocational schools operate during the three month summer vacation, and after the school day when children have finished their homework. It takes four summers for each of child to ‘graduate’, after which they are eligible for additional training.

There are more than 200 carpet schools, each training 40+ children in this ancient art. And the way a design or a picture takes shape must be seen to be believed! Weaving totally by hand, the children sit in front of huge looms using their small, dexterous fingers to weave intricate and identical designs on huge silk and woolen carpets. It takes weeks, often months to make a single carpet.

Imagine the kind of patience and dedication one must have to make carpets for a living. Each design has to be identical on a carpet. So the children must be excellent artists and good with their hands. Their small and flexible fingers, can be the best weavers. To create a simple design like that of a peacock or a flower on one single square meter of a woolen or silk carpet, one needs to tie an amazing one million knots.

Carpet schools have contributed immensely to furthering Egyptian children's education and talents. These children will keep Egypt's carpet weaving heritage strong for generations to come.