Algeria Orders French Schools to Adopt Arabic Curriculum

Algeria wants to make it clear that they are not being hostile towards the French language when they try to make Francophone private schools follow the national curriculum.

According to Education Minister Abdelkrim Belabed, Algeria is not targeting any specific languages and actually considers multilingualism as one of their education system’s important accomplishments. It’s worth noting that the country has more French speakers than almost any other country, except for France and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

About 15 million people in Algeria, out of a total population of 44 million, speak French. However, like many other African nations, Algeria is placing more emphasis on English and Indigenous languages while reevaluating the role of French in schools and society.

This year, as a nation, it is increasing English language classes in elementary schools and making a stronger effort to enforce a law that requires private schools to follow the predominantly Arabic national curriculum. Critics of the law have been discussing Algeria’s efforts without considering the larger context. Algeria maintains that private schools must teach the national curriculum, which they see as a way to promote the core values of their society.