Sarkozy's Party calls for revision of Convention on Arab language teaching for Algerians

The French National Assembly is currently discussing the issue pertaining to a requested revision of the bilateral agreements signed between France, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia related to Arabic language and culture of the country of origin for expats settled on French territory, especially in primary education, known as “ELCO”.

The French Foreign Ministry immediately requested new negotiations for an overhaul of this Convention against the background of the persisting fall-out of the ill-fated events targeting the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine which occurred last January in Paris.

The parliamentary  debate was prompted by Sarkozy’s party at the French national assembly through a question to this effect raised by MP Jean Claude Bochi on March 17^th 2015.

Algeria and France are bound by a bilateral agreement signed in 1981 as part of “ELCO” to allow for the teaching of  the Arab language and culture of origin to immigrants residing on French territory, especially in primary education by an average of 3 hours per week, in addition to similar accords initialed  for the same purpose with Morocco and Tunisia in 1986.

ELCO’s primary target:

The teaching of Arabic as part of ELCO has however witnessed some notable developments. Encouraged by the french Ministry of National Education, educational officials of the three countries of the Maghreb including Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, have managed to establish a respectful Common curriculum of French educational standards.  Training standards, however, remain very far from the idea that was seen  in France of a school of free citizens bent on  emancipation.

A few developments observed, for interesting they are, do not extend to the questioning of the functioning of the “formatting process” by the authority of formal education. 

Fundamental assumptions of democratic order are still lacking. That alone would justify that move sought at any price, to maintain  ELCO operating.

This approach should involve at the same time the strengthening of the study of the languages concerned notably Arabic, primarily in the second degree cycle and at University.

This approach must not prevent those people concerned to reflect on ways and means for development of the linguistic and cultural Cooperation for the benefit of the youth of the countries concerned.