Algeria: Several “time bombs” threaten upcoming school year

Several independent education trade Unions have revealed that six outstanding problems will hamper the smooth running of the upcoming 2014 – 2015 school year in Algeria.

The management of the next academic year will be tantamount to a “special” test for the new national education minister Nouria Benghebrit who will have to grapple with the dismal legacy left behind by former education minister Abdellatif Baba Ahmed and his close collaborators.

The relevant authorities have so far dragged their feet regarding the fulfillment of the social partners’ demands notably those related to classroom overcrowding and the lack of proper pedagogical and administrative supervision.

To this effect, the national secretary in charge of information and communication from the independent teachers’ national council, Messaoud Boudiba told Echorouk that the three sections of the secondary school cycle were directly concerned by such problems which should be seriously dealt with as early as possible by the education ministerial department, as he put it.

He added that any viable solution to this pedagogical-related “logjam” could only he thrashed out as part of a close and active collaboration between the relevant authorities with the representatives of the education Unions and the social partners.

Mr Boudiba also pointed to the lower success rate recorded in the 2014 baccalaureate session by a large number of candidates who sat for this crucial exam giving access to University studies.