Reducing winter holidays sparks anger among education unions

Press attaché at CNAPSET education union Messaoud Boudiba raised questions about school holidays timetable. He said the education minister Nouria Benghebrit did not ask for social partners’ opinion about the decision to reduce winter holidays to 10 days from 15 days.

“How it comes that a decision to reduce school holidays is issued in this way and imposed on everyone. It is really weird,” he told Echorouk on the phone.

He added that the ministry should ask for the opinion of its social partners about any change.

Secretary General of education workers’ union Sadek Dziri also raised questions about the decision.

He said the ministry reduced the holidays to reach 36 supposed school weeks.

“Yet, this is impossible. The ministry tried to do the same thing last year. It moved forward final exams to May but it was in vain,” he told Echorouk.

Many Algerians expressed dissatisfaction about the decision to reduce winter holidays. They posted comments on social media, saying the minister Nouria Benghebrit wants to raise anger among teachers.