Algeria's Bold Shift: English Takes the Lead Over French in Education

In a significant move set to reshape the educational landscape in Algeria, English will replace French as the primary foreign language taught in the country’s third year of primary school, starting from the 2026-2027 academic year. This decision, announced by Education Minister Mohamed Seghir Saadaoui on July 25, marks a pivotal shift in Algeria’s linguistic policy, as it aims to prioritize English over its colonial legacy of French.

Ahmed Krim, a retired English teacher with three decades of experience, sees this decision as a promising development but emphasizes the necessity for adequate planning and resources. "It is a very good decision. But it requires thinking, planning and resources," he remarked, highlighting the importance of a well-structured implementation.

This educational reform is part of a broader initiative launched by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who has been advocating for a linguistic overhaul since 2022. The push for English has already been reflected in other sectors, with universities transitioning from French to English for medical and scientific subjects. Additionally, English is starting to appear on utility bills, Air Algerie tickets, and government websites, signaling a substantial cultural shift.

The move comes amid rising tensions between Algeria and France, particularly after French President Emmanuel Macron's support for Morocco's territorial claims in Western Sahara in July 2024. This incident has intensified diplomatic strains, leading to mutual expulsions of diplomats and a reevaluation of Algeria's historical ties to its former colonizer.

However, the transition to English is not without challenges. Critics argue that the pace of this shift may outstrip the system's capacity to adapt. There are concerns about the availability of qualified English teachers, even as the education ministry reportedly recruited around 15,000 teachers for primary schools this past February. Rafik Laceb, an English lecturer at Mouloud Mammeri University, expresses cautious optimism about the reforms but warns that parallel efforts to teach university subjects in English might be rushed.

Support for these changes is evident among parents like Djamel Merah, who believes the reforms will bridge the gap between students receiving multilingual education and those who do not. Meanwhile, at local bookstores, there is a noticeable uptick in English-language book sales, especially among young readers, reflecting a growing interest in the language that may extend beyond governmental initiatives.

Despite this momentum, French remains deeply entrenched in Algerian society, with approximately 15 million French speakers in the country. The International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) indicates that French continues to hold significant influence, with no English-language newspapers currently published in Algeria.

As Algeria embarks on this ambitious linguistic journey, the path ahead will require careful management of resources and training to ensure the successful integration of English into the national curriculum. Krim believes that with the right resources and transparency, Algeria’s linguistic aspirations can become a reality.

Source: www.aljazeera.com