Ahmed Tessa Offers Insight on Algeria’s Educational System

Ahmed Tessa, a distinguished pedagogue, writer, and former advisor to the Ministry of National Education, has provided an open analysis of the Algerian educational system. His insights cover the foundational role of schools, the significance of foreign languages, particularly French, in Algeria, and the evolution of Islamic education. Tessa has addressed his critics, reaffirming his deep roots in Algerian society and his commitment to its educational future.

Tessa emphasizes that the quality of general education is significantly influenced by how languages are taught, including Arabic, which has been the widespread language of instruction since 1980. He highlights a historical period, from the 1960s to mid-1980s, when Algerian schools fostered elites proficient in Arabic, French, and English, who have since contributed to the nation's development across various sectors. Rather than advocating for the suppression of languages, Tessa underscores the importance of addressing pedagogical shortcomings and improving instruction quality for all languages.

Regarding civic and religious instruction, Tessa notes a shift from the previous