Algeria Forces Francophone Schools to Adopt Arabic Curriculum
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Loading... - Juan Delgado
- 29 Oct 2024
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Amid ongoing debates about the role of the French language in former French colonies, Algeria is mandating that Francophone private schools adopt the national curriculum, which is predominantly in Arabic. Education Minister Abdelkrim Belabed emphasized that this initiative is not an act of hostility toward the French language, stating that no languages are being "targeted" in Algeria. He highlighted that multilingualism is a key achievement of the country's education system, asserting, "All languages are welcome."
Algeria has a substantial Francophone population, with nearly 15 million of its 44 million residents speaking French, making it one of the largest Francophone countries after France and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, the country is increasingly prioritizing English and Indigenous languages, prompting a reevaluation of French's role in education and society.
This shift is not unique to Algeria; neighboring Mali has removed French from its list of official languages, and Morocco has made English classes compulsory in high schools. In Algeria, the government is expanding English language courses in elementary schools and reinforcing a law that requires private schools to adhere to the national curriculum.
While enforcement of this law against private schools has been ongoing since 2019, it has intensified this year, leading to significant media coverage and concern among Algerian families who can afford private education. Belabed defended the initiative, arguing that critics are misrepresenting the context and reaffirming that private schools must teach the national curriculum, which he described as a "vehicle for our societies identifying values."
The political implications of language in Algeria are deeply rooted in its history. Since gaining independence from France after a brutal seven-year war over 60 years ago, language has become intertwined with Algerian nationalism. The slogan "Algeria is my country, Arabic is my language, and Islam is my religion" reflects this sentiment.
Currently, there are only 680 private schools in Algeria, which serve over 11 million students. Few of these schools operate exclusively in French or offer dual curriculums to prepare students for higher education in both languages. The government's crackdown on French instruction in private schools coincides with the introduction of English language courses in elementary education and the integration of English into public university curriculums, particularly in science classes.
As Algeria navigates this complex linguistic landscape, the push for an Arabic-centric education system reflects broader trends in the region, as countries reassess their colonial legacies and strive for greater linguistic and cultural autonomy.
