Algeria bans French curricula and imposes Arabic...a decision that ignites controversy

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A new Algerian decision regulating the activity of private education institutions sparked an educational and political debate, after it banned the teaching of the French curriculum and obligated these schools to implement national programs alone, and to provide education in the Arabic language in all subjects except foreign languages, while some opposed it and others supported it.

The executive decree specifying the activity of private schools required respect for the provisions and principles of the Constitution and the laws of the Republic, sovereignty and national unity, in addition to the religious, moral and cultural identity and values ​​of the nation, the requirements of security, national defense and public order, as well as national and religious historical references.

The decree included regulatory points, the most important of which is obligating the private institution to implement only the national educational programs decided by the Minister in charge of national education, and strictly prohibiting the teaching of foreign programs.

It also stipulated that education in the Arabic language be provided compulsory in all subjects and at all educational levels, with the exception of foreign language subjects.

Sahib Mabrouk Zanoush, director of the “Keys to Science and Knowledge” school complex and educational advisor to school groups, saw that French programs and curricula are far from being ideal curricula to be emulated, especially in an Algerian society that has national constants that are completely opposite to French constants, in an interview with Al Arabiya.net.

He added that he appreciates these new decisions, which were summarized in a new terms and conditions book that forces every investor in this field to review his accounts before entering into sensitive sectors that require integrity and efficiency.

For his part, specialist Salah al-Din Maafa considered that obliging private schools to adopt the national curriculum and prohibiting the teaching of foreign programs represents a step towards unifying the educational reference in Algeria, and ensuring that all educational institutions are subject to the same goals and contents. According to him, this enhances equal opportunities among students, preserves national identity and cultural privacy, and reduces disparities in educational paths.

Maafa explained in a statement to Al Arabiya.net that adopting a unified curriculum would facilitate the transfer of students between educational institutions, and ensure that their gains are consistent with the requirements of national examinations and conditions for admission to higher education, instead of creating parallel paths that may create a disparity in knowledge and competencies.

On the other hand, the specialist warned that implementing the decision without providing appropriate alternatives may pose challenges to some schools that are accustomed to adopting foreign programs, especially with regard to developing linguistic competencies and getting students accustomed to different educational curricula.

He stressed that being limited to the national curriculum should not become an obstacle to acquiring foreign languages ​​and being open to international scientific experiences, stressing the need to distinguish between teaching foreign programs and learning their languages. In his opinion, banning the foreign curriculum does not mean abandoning teaching French or English, but rather requires developing the methods of teaching them.

He considered that the success of the decision is linked to the extent of updating the national curricula, qualifying teachers, and providing modern educational methods, in a way that achieves a balance between consolidating national identity and keeping pace with global developments.