Modern English School Cairo vs The British School in Cairo

	M Modern English School Cairo Cairo, Egypt	T The British School in Cairo Cairo, Egypt
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year EGP 80,000 - 185,000	Fees / year EGP 70,000 - 141,700
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, American Curriculum, IB (DP)	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 2,400	Pupils 1,000
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 22
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Arabic
Opened	Opened 1990	Opened 2004
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location New Cairo, South of Police Academy, Cairo, Egypt. The campus is in the New Cairo suburb and is purpose-built with green spaces, open atriums, fish ponds and an aviary. The Primary school is based around a pod layout with year groups clustered in a common corridor, with a shared pod-space connecting all classrooms. A central 400-seat theatre is used for meetings, assemblies and performances.	Location The school is located on the D3 Ring Road in Maadi, Cairo, Egypt.
Stages	Stages Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS); Key Stage 1 (KS1); Key Stage 2 (KS2); British Secondary; American Secondary; IB Diploma Programme.	Stages —
School type	School type —	School type —
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Students with identified exceptionalities may access additional support via Primary LDD and Secondary LDD teams. Provision includes authoring of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), outsourcing to community agencies and exam/testing modifications.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details School bussing is available for students and staff to/from most locations in greater Cairo. Our school buses are well maintained to ensure safety and comfort of the highest standard.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and registration fees - A non‑refundable registration (application) fee is charged for new enrolments; a re‑enrolment deposit equal to 10% of the annual tuition is collected to secure places for continuing pupils. Tuition — annual and typical instalment amounts (2025/26 fee levels) - Foundation stage / KG1: EGP 80,000 per year. Typical payment if spread in four instalments: EGP 20,000 per instalment. - Foundation stage / KG2: EGP 93,000 per year. Typical four‑instalment amount: EGP 23,250 per instalment. - Primary (Years 1–2): EGP 119,000 per year. Typical four‑instalment amount: EGP 29,750 per instalment. - Primary (Years 3–6): EGP 131,000 per year. Typical four‑instalment amount: EGP 32,750 per instalment. - Secondary — American diploma (middle/upper secondary exam years and related grades listed): EGP 161,000 per year. Typical four‑instalment amount: EGP 40,250 per instalment. - Secondary — British/upper‑secondary exam years (A‑level/IB/UK senior years listed): EGP 185,000 per year. Typical four‑instalment amount: EGP 46,250 per instalment. (Fees above are shown as annual tuition with a commonly used school instalment structure; the school issues billing and instalment schedules as described below.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed as the annual fee but may be paid in instalments. The school's standard instalment plan requires an early re‑enrolment payment (10% of the annual fee) and staged payments through the year (historically shown as further instalments in August, November and March). Transport charges are required in full before the start of the academic year. No student is admitted on the first day of term without settlement of due fees. - Registration fees for new students are non‑refundable at enrolment. The school operates sibling fee concessions: a reduced registration charge for the second child and additional reductions for third/fourth siblings, and percentage reductions on tuition for multiple children. Boarding - The school is a day school; no boarding fees apply. Other costs and recurring charges - Transportation: school bus service is charged in addition to tuition; published listings for the 2025/26 year show transportation charges reported at EGP 10,400 (charged separately and payable in advance). Transport must be paid in full before the start of the academic year (exact amount may vary by route). - Examinations and external exam fees (IGCSE/GCSE/A‑level, SAT/TOEFL, IB) are billed separately and are not included in tuition. - Books, activity fees and similar consumable or programme costs are not included in the published tuition figures and are charged separately. - Uniform: official school uniform is required. Uniform items are available from the school uniform shop and may be purchased online via the parent portal; uniform costs are charged separately. The school maintains a published uniform policy listing required items by year group. - Other potential additional charges include specific trips, optional extracurricular activities that require extra payment, learning‑support or EAL services if applicable, and exam administration fees. External exam charges and some activity costs are billed separately from tuition. Refunds and withdrawal terms - The school operates an explicit re‑enrolment and withdrawal policy: parents are required to notify the school in writing by stated deadlines to be eligible for any partial refund of re‑enrolment payments; a historical example of the policy requires written notice before the school's published cut‑off date (example given as July 1 in earlier documentation) to qualify for a refund of the re‑enrolment payment less an administrative charge; beyond the deadline re‑enrolment fees may not be refundable. Parents are bound by the school's written terms and conditions when enrolling or withdrawing a pupil. Fee payment options and instructions - Accepted payment methods include bank transfer to the school's accounts, card payments (Visa/MasterCard), and electronic instalment plans through third‑party finance partners (valU has been offered as an option). Cheques are not accepted. The school publishes account details and an accounts e‑mail contact for fee queries and payment confirmations. Quick practical points for parents - Tuition amounts shown above are annual figures; the school issues invoices and an instalment schedule. Typical instalments are calculated by splitting the annual fee over the school's accepted number of instalments (the school's standard plan has historically used four instalments). - Transport, uniforms, books, exam fees and many trips/activities are additional to tuition and must be budgeted for separately. - There are sibling discounts and reduced registration terms for second and further children.	Fee details Application fees - No distinct, consistently published application or admission fee for The British School in Cairo (BSC) was available in the sources consulted. Contact details are listed for the school should you need direct confirmation. Tuition fees (annual) by year group - Pre‑Nursery (Pre‑KG): EGP 70,000 per year. - FS1–FS2 (Foundation Stage 1–2): EGP 88,480 per year. - Year 1: EGP 112,000 per year. - Year 2: EGP 116,000 per year. - Year 3: EGP 120,500 per year. - Year 4: EGP 124,000 per year. - Year 5: EGP 128,000 per year. - Year 6: EGP 133,360 per year. - Year 7: EGP 141,700 per year. - Year 8: EGP 140,000 per year. - Years 9–12 (Secondary / High School): fees are published on a per‑subject basis at EGP 15,000 per subject (per annum per subject). Tuition per term (approximation) - The school's published figures are presented as annual amounts. A per‑term figure is not directly published; as an approximation, dividing the annual tuition by three gives an estimated per‑term amount (example: Year 1 approx. EGP 112,000 / 3 ≈ EGP 37,333 per term). This per‑term figure is an arithmetic estimate only and not an official billing schedule. Billing schedule and payment terms - No clear, published billing schedule, term instalment plan, due‑date policy, late‑payment penalties, or formal payment‑terms statement was available in the consulted sources. The published figures above are annual tuition figures; specifics on instalments or deadlines were not provided. Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are listed for BSC; the school is presented as a day school with on‑site facilities and bus service. No boarding charges were published. Other costs and typical additional charges - Bus / transportation: the school lists a bus service among its facilities; a published bus tariff tied to these tuition figures was not available in the consulted sources. - Books, activities, uniforms and materials: no consistent, school‑published line‑item amounts for mandatory book fees, activity fees or uniform costs were found for the academic year figures above. Some directories note that schools often charge separately for books, supplies or activities, but no specific amounts for BSC were published in the sources consulted. - Examination or per‑subject charges for high school: high‑school tuition is listed per subject (EGP 15,000 per subject per year). Additional exam or examination‑entry fees (if any) were not published. Refund information - No formal refund policy or withdrawal/refund schedule (for deposits, registration or tuition) was published in the consulted sources. No specific refundable deposit amounts or refund deadlines were available. Fee payment options - No explicit list of accepted payment methods (bank transfer, credit card, cash, online payment portal, etc.) was published in the consulted sources. Summary of findings and remaining items not published - Available: clear annual tuition figures by year group (amounts listed above) and the high‑school per‑subject rate. Contact details and the school's listed facilities (including bus) were also published. - Not published / not available in the consulted public listings: a definitive application or registration fee specifically attributed to BSC; a formal billing schedule or term instalment plan; published per‑term billing; explicit bus tariff tied to routes; uniform, book or activity fee line items; a formal refund or withdrawal policy; and the school's accepted payment methods. If you will publish these figures in an external database, use the annual tuition amounts listed above for each year group and note that high‑school fees are charged per subject at EGP 15,000 per subject per year. The items noted as not published above were not available in the consulted sources at the time of this review.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school has a formal uniform policy. Uniforms are worn at school or when representing MES Cairo. Uniforms can be purchased from the school uniform shop (open Sunday–Thursday until 3:30 pm and Saturday until 1:00 pm) or online via the Parent Portal; the MES Cairo House Polo Shirt must be worn for house events and alternatives are not permitted.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Canteen arrangements: Canteen services will continue to be available to students in KS2 and Secondary, but with a reduced menu. Set menu boxes cost 50 LE per box and include a main item (pizza, sandwich, pasta or rice with protein), a fruit or vegetable option, and a drink.	Food options The school has a cafeteria selling a variety of hot and cold meals, snacks and beverages. Pupils from Year 1 onwards have access to the cafeteria.
House system	House system MES Cairo uses a House Spirit system. Students wear a MES Cairo House Polo Shirt for house events, and alternatives to the House polo shirt are not permitted.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board is Mrs Sawsan Dajani and the Managing Director is Ghada Dajani.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Early Years follows the Early Years curriculum with an emphasis on play, early childhood development and interpersonal skills. They progress to KS1 and then KS2, where the National Curriculum of England underpins learning with adjustments for local context and international culture. In Secondary, students choose between the British Secondary pathway (a 2-year KS3 programme with GCSE/IGCSE, followed by AS/A Levels) or the American Secondary pathway (a 2-year Middle School Programme followed by a 4-year High School Diploma Programme). At the completion of Year 10/Grade 10, students can pursue graduation via the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme if they prefer. All pathways lead to graduation and university access.	Curriculum details The School broadly follows the English National Curriculum in all age groups, alongside the Egyptian National Curriculum for Arabic and Religion from Year 1 onward, and the Egyptian Social Studies curriculum from Year 4 onward. A Cambridge international curriculum is followed in core subjects in Primary and Key Stage Three, with Cambridge Checkpoints in Years 6 and 8. Arabic is studied from Nursery (Foundation Stage One) and Religion in Arabic from Reception, with a third language (French or German) introduced from Year One. From Year 9, pupils join the Senior School/IGCSE section with Pre-IGCSE or IGCSE Core studies and external exams under the British Council in five core subjects, followed by subject choices for IGCSE O Levels, AS and A2/A Levels.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Class sizes are typically between 20 and 25 pupils, with a teacher and a bilingual co-teacher in all year groups up to and including Year 8.
Exam results	Exam results A-Level results: 2024 - A-A 40%, A-B 58%, A-C 85%; 2023 - A-A 30%, A-B 57%, A-C 78%. IGCSE results: 2024 - A-A 42%, A-B 64%, A-C 78%; 2023 - A-A 33%, A-B 61%, A-C 83%.	Exam results Pupils' attainment levels have remained strong across the different age groups, evidenced by end-year test results, with very strong performance in some areas.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Our Secondary Leadership Team provides university counselling and information on virtually any university destination worldwide, including Egypt, with visits by reputable tertiary institutions throughout the academic year. Students are encouraged to utilise school resources to support their university planning, and not outsource to third parties.	Higher education progression The school has a Partnership Agreement with the British University in Egypt offering a full scholarship to the top graduates of the IGCSE section.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented For Gifted and Talented students there is an opportunity to take an additional two subjects, PE and Global Perspectives.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Pastoral support is a key strength; students have access to emotional and psychological care, including on-site psychological support and a dedicated school counsellor in the secondary section. The wellbeing framework is supported by a structured referral system and access to counsellors to assist students with emotional and social needs.	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Learning Development Departments in both primary and secondary provide support for students with identified exceptionalities, including the creation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), outsourcing to community agencies, and exam/testing modifications.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school has Learning Support Mentors and Co-Teachers to support students with learning needs.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English as a Second Language is offered within the secondary English provision. Most students sit English as a Second Language in November of Year 10 and English as a First Language in May of Year 10; some families may choose to pursue English as a First Language, or English as a Second Language later, with guidance to place students in appropriate language pathways.	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Well-being is prioritised with welfare, health and safety described as outstanding. Students have access to emotional and psychological care, including on-site medical staff and mental health resources, with a structured referral process for well-being concerns.	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school is committed to safeguarding; a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy outlines standards applied to staff, the Board, and volunteers, reflecting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and supported by a Child Protection Team.	Safeguarding The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks are undertaken.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Modern English School Cairo is located in New Cairo in a purpose-built campus. The campus features green spaces, open atriums, fish ponds and an aviary. The Primary section uses a pod layout with year groups clustered in a common corridor and a shared pod-space connecting classrooms. There are ample yard and sports facilities, including indoor and outdoor courts, sports pitches and swimming pools for outdoor play and learning. A central 400-seat theatre supports meetings, assemblies and performances.	Facilities overview The school has an all-weather, heated swimming pool, three Computer Suites, two Science Laboratories and a preparation room, a library for Primary and Key Stage Three, a separate IGCSE Library and Teacher Resource Room, sports courts for tennis, basketball, soccer and volleyball, and an Assembly Hall. Classrooms are air-conditioned with Smart Boards, usually 20-25 pupils per class, with a teacher and bilingual co-teacher in all year groups up to Year 8. Year 1 and above have access to a School Cafeteria serving hot meals, snacks and beverages. A School Swimming Academy operates year-round on site, with an additional sports academy offered seasonally. School buses are air-conditioned and supervised by a Bus Matron.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Indoor and outdoor courts accommodate court sports and physical education. Sports pitches enable team practice and matches on grass or turf. Swimming pools support aquatic activities and lessons. Ample yard space supports outdoor games and recreational activities. The facilities underpin a comprehensive PE and after-school athletics program.	Sports facilities All-weather, heated swimming pool and courts for tennis, basketball, soccer and volleyball support a broad PE and inter-school program. A School Swimming Academy runs year-round on site, with additional seasonal sports academies.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Classrooms are well-equipped with specialist facilities for music, dance, theatre, cooking, design technology and computing. There are dedicated facilities for Science and Art. A pod-layout in the Primary division connects year groups with shared pod-space to support collaborative learning. The central 400-seat theatre supports performances and presentations as part of the academic and co-curricular program.	Academic facilities Three Computer Suites, two Science Laboratories and a preparation room support practical work, with a well-stocked Library for Primary and Key Stage Three and a separate IGCSE Library and Teacher Resource Room. Classrooms are air-conditioned with Smart Boards and typically accommodate 20-25 pupils, with a teacher and bilingual co-teacher in all year groups up to Year 8.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular options include After School Activities (ASAs) and athletics, along with trips and productions. House Spirit, Pioneers and The International Award are part of the student opportunities. Productions are supported by the on-site theatre. The school offers a broad enrichment program with opportunities across performing arts, leadership and outdoor learning.	Extra curricular facilities The School has a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including Book Weeks, Eid Parties, Halloween Festivals and Mother's Day Parties, concerts, shows, sports days, and weekly Golden Time sessions in Primary. There have been Spelling Bees, Design and Technology Days, Science or Humanities Fairs, Music Clubs and stage performances in Primary and Key Stage Three, plus trips and events for IGCSE students in Years Four and Five.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Modern English School Cairo opened in October 1990 with 28 students. It began with a pioneering group of educators led by Mr. Nabeel Dajani and Mrs. Sawsan Dajani. As the school population grew, facilities were improved and the school moved to a purpose-built campus in New Cairo. The school fosters a friendly and welcoming atmosphere where students care for each other, seek challenge, and are inspired.	History The British School in Cairo was established in August 2004. It is described as a close-knit community of learners centered around meeting pupils' needs. It is located in Maadi, Cairo. There are opportunities for art, sport, music, drama, trips and camps, and leadership events and activities.
Community	Community MES Cairo has a defined school community led by a Senior Leadership Team and Senior Student Leaders, with safeguarding and an Alumni network (MESConians). Teaching staff and Parents as Partners are integral to school life. The enrichment provision includes After School Activities (ASAs), Athletics, Student Leadership, Trips, Productions, House Spirit, Pioneers, and The International Award.	Community Trips include En Sokhna Trip, Agyad Trip, and London Trip. Extra Curricular Activities include Book Weeks, Eid Parties, Halloween Festivals and Mother's Day Parties, concerts, shows, sports days, fun days and dressing-up days in the Foundation Stage. There are weekly ‘Golden Time' sessions in Primary, Spelling Bees, Design and Technology Days, Sports Days, Science or Humanities Fairs, Music Clubs and stage performances, concerts, competitions, poetry festivals and debates in Primary and Key Stage Three. A number of trips, special events and excursions are offered to IGCSE students in Key Stages Four and Five throughout the year.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Parents as Partners (PAP) is an initiative to engage parents as partners in education. The Whole School Development Plan for 2021/2022 revisits and develops the PAP, with a calendar of regular events offered online by staff, parents, and specialist experts. A social media campaign is planned to reinforce school culture and parenting to support learning, growth and development. The plan includes a needs assessment from stakeholders, coordination of the programme, and a calendar rollout for Terms 1 and 2, with leadership roles for SLT, SSLT, PSLT and related teams.	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Enrichment Provision comprises a range of activities beyond core classes, including After School Activities (ASAs), Athletics, Student Leadership, Trips, Productions, House Spirit, Pioneers and The International Award. These offerings provide opportunities for exploration and skill development outside the standard curriculum. Students participate in after-school activities and school-wide events to deepen interests and teamwork. The International Award is listed as part of Enrichment Provision.	Academic & intellectual The school has offered a wide variety of extra-curricular activities to date. Foundation Stage includes Book Weeks, Eid Parties, Halloween Festivals, and Mother's Day Parties, as well as Dressing-Up Days. Primary and Key Stage Three feature Spelling Bees, Design and Technology Days, Science or Humanities Fairs, music clubs, stage performances, concerts, competitions, poetry festivals and debates. IGCSE students in Key Stages Four and Five have access to trips and special events throughout the year.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Productions are included in the Enrichment Provision. The Enrichment Provision also includes After School Activities (ASAs) and other named activities. Through these provisions, students have opportunities to engage in creative performance beyond the classroom. Productions provide opportunities for performing arts.	Arts & creative There are growing opportunities for art, music and drama. Concerts and stage performances provide platforms for student creativity. Music clubs are offered as part of the extra-curricular program. Art activities and other creative projects are encouraged across the school.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Trips are listed as part of the enrichment program. Productions and House Spirit are included as social and community activities. Pioneers and After School Activities (ASAs) offer additional clubs and hobby groups.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Student Leadership is part of Enrichment Provision. The International Award is listed as part of Enrichment Provision. These elements are listed under Enrichment Provision.	Leadership & professional There are leadership events and activities. These activities are part of the school's extracurricular program.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Athletics is part of the Enrichment Provision. Trips are included in the enrichment program. The Enrichment Provision includes House Spirit and Pioneers.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports Days and other wellbeing-focused activities are part of the program. Foundation Stage includes Fun Days and Dressing-Up Days. Concerts and other events contribute to a vibrant school life. Trips and camps are offered as part of extracurricular experiences.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision World Languages are taught as part of the MES Cairo curriculum. Grade 7 and Grade 8 both offer French and Spanish, taught using Bien Dit 1 (French) and Avancemos 1 (Spanish) as digital course books. The World Language Department emphasizes the five C's of language education—communication, cultures, connections, comparisons and communities—through a dynamic program that develops speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. In Grades 9–12, the American High School Diploma pathway requires two consecutive world language courses for graduation.	Language provision The School follows the English National Curriculum in all age groups, alongside the Egyptian National Curriculum in Arabic and Religion from Year 1 onwards, and the Egyptian National Curriculum in Social Studies from Year 4 onwards. Arabic is studied from Nursery (Foundation Stage One), aged 3.5-4.5 years. Religion is taught in Arabic from Reception (FS2), aged 4.5-5.5 years. A third language, French or German, is introduced from Year One.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations null
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Admission priorities: First consideration is given to students who already have siblings registered in MES Cairo. Second consideration is given to students who apply from schools which offer similar academic programmes or follow a similar academic syllabus. Third consideration is given to students with the most academic ability, keeping in mind space availability and the date when the application was first processed. All other considerations may or may not play a major role in the admission process depending on the individual case. Application steps: 1. Complete MES Cairo Application Form online. 2. Visit MES Cairo to sign the application and submit the required documents. Your application is not submitted into the system until step 1 and step 2 are both completed. 3. Assessment results are announced within two weeks from the assessment date. If accepted, a deposit will be required within seven days of receiving the acceptance call to secure the student's place. Required documents: Part I – The required documents for the admission process: Original birth certificate – computer generated (Egyptian students); Copy of student's passport and residence visa valid for no less than six months – this should not be a tourist visa (non-Egyptian students); Two recent passport-size photos of student; Copy of mother and father's ID (National Number) and passport copies of non-Egyptian parents; Original academic report from previous school for last two academic years; Stamped attendance statement from previous school starting from Year 1; Letter of good conduct from previous school for students in Year 6 and above; Copy of parents/guardian's education certificates. Part II – Additional documents required for those transferring within Egypt: Attendance statement or progress report for last academic year stamped by the Educational District; Transfer request stamped from both the school the student is transferring from and the Educational District; Electronic transfer request from previous school. Part III – Additional documents required for students transferring from abroad: Attendance statement from previous school stamped by the Ministry of Education of the country the student is transferring from, as well as by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Last school report stamped by the Ministry of Education in the country the student is transferring from, as well as by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Issuing a letter of admission from the Educational District for both Egyptian and non-Egyptian students transferring from abroad.	Admissions —
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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