Recent social media reports have stirred concerns regarding the suspension of support classes across Algeria. However, an informed source clarified to Awras that the decision pertains specifically to institutions with activity code 607.014, which include private language teaching centers. This decision affects all language classes, such as French, Arabic, English, Spanish, and German.
Notably, no official decision has been made regarding the suspension of support classes for other academic subjects.
Private Tutoring: An Increasingly Unregulated Phenomenon
The latest annual accountability report sheds light on the pervasive issue of private tutoring, which remains a symptom of the challenges faced by Algeria's public education system.
Despite its growing prevalence, the Ministry of National Education has yet to conduct in-depth studies to understand the scale and impact of this informal activity.
Findings from a University of Tiaret study highlighted alarming trends:
2012/2013 Academic Year: 40.9% of fifth-grade students and 48.73% of fourth-grade middle school students participated in private lessons.
2013/2014 Academic Year: This figure soared to 66.91% for third-year high school students.
The most sought-after subjects for private tutoring included French (74.5%), Arabic (64.6%), and mathematics (57.2%) in the primary education sector.
Underlying Issues Driving Private Tutoring
The report attributes the rise of private tutoring to several systemic flaws:
Lack of adequate supervision and follow-up within public schools.
Inability of students to grasp essential curricula.
Pressure from families seeking improved academic results.
Social disparities exacerbated by unequal access to quality education.
This phenomenon has far-reaching consequences, including draining family finances, widening social inequalities, and undermining trust in public schools. Moreover, it leaves students fatigued, dependent, and deprived of essential leisure and rest time necessary for holistic development.
Government Measures to Curb the Practice
Former Education Minister Abdelhakim Belabed, announced in June that the Ministry of Education would implement stricter measures to combat illegal private tutoring. Key actions include:
Opening schools for supervised support classes during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Strengthening educational support to address student deficiencies.
Encouraging reliance on formal education and ensuring timely curriculum implementation.
The government's broader aim is to restore trust in public education while minimizing the financial and social burdens of private tutoring on families.
Conclusion
Algeria’s crackdown on private tutoring and language institutions marks a critical step in addressing disparities in education. By focusing on reforms and stricter oversight, the government aims to create a more equitable and effective educational system. However, the success of these measures will depend on consistent implementation and addressing the root causes driving families toward private tutoring.
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