Council of Ministers Approves Primary Education Language Shift
The Ministry of National Education has issued a clarification regarding the teaching of the first foreign language in primary schools, resolving previous uncertainties. This update confirms that English will be introduced to students beginning in the third primary year. The French language will now be taught starting from the fourth primary year, with these changes set to be implemented from the academic year 2026-2027. This decision aligns with provisions for primary education that received approval from the Council of Ministers.
This clarification follows a period of discussion concerning educational reforms, particularly after the suspension of certain provisions related to secondary education. In a statement released on September 16, the Ministry confirmed that, apart from the primary education provisions approved by the Council of Ministers, all other proposed dispositions had been suspended by a separate Council of Ministers decision. This action addresses the ambiguity that arose after initial announcements regarding curriculum changes, including shifts in secondary subject programs.
The presidential office played a crucial role in shaping the direction of these reforms. On September 6, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune underscored the necessity for major educational reforms to receive mandatory approval from the Council of Ministers. The President also emphasized the importance of safeguarding the educational system from ideological interference. Following this directive, on September 9, Minister Mohamed Seghir Saâdaoui instructed wilaya education directors to promptly implement the President's guidelines, ensuring schools remain detached from ideological currents and unproductive political conflicts, thereby maintaining a purely pedagogical focus within the sector. The Ministry subsequently announced the cancellation of a prior note from July 28, 2026, pertaining to hourly volumes and coefficients for specific subjects in secondary and technical education.
