Algeria's Ministry of National Education released pedagogical preparations on August 5th of the current year, outlining partial subject redistribution and reduced study hours for certain tracks. These adjustments, detailed in standard timetable tables for the organization of schooling in general and technological secondary education, are set to take effect for the 2026/2027 academic year. Critics suggest public opinion and the educational community have been directed towards "wrong and futile discussions," diverting focus from substantive pedagogical issues.
Philosophy and Arabic Language Revisions
Information indicating that philosophy was deleted from the curriculum was a false promotion by some parties, according to reports. Philosophy was previously scheduled for the third year of secondary school for mathematics and engineering tracks and subsequently rescheduled for the second year with the same program. A pedagogical comparison between the timetable for the 2025/2026 academic season and the upcoming 2026/2027 season shows facts concerning the redistribution of the Arabic language, not philosophy.
Previously, in mathematics, technical engineering, experimental sciences, and management and economics tracks, Arabic language was taught for 3 hours per week with a coefficient of 3. For mathematics and technical engineering tracks, the Arabic language program was redistributed. In experimental sciences and management and economics tracks, Arabic language hours and coefficient were reduced to 2 hours per week with a coefficient of 2 in the third year. This reduction also affected second-year secondary students across all mentioned tracks, plus the arts track, decreasing from 3 hours to 2 hours per week.
Broader Subject Hour Reductions
For mathematics and engineering tracks, subjects not directly related to the specialization, such as Arabic, Amazigh, and French, which were previously distributed over three years, are now distributed over two years. Geography was redistributed across three tracks: experimental sciences, mathematics, and engineering. History remains with an average of two teaching hours per week.
French language instruction experienced a complete reduction in the third year for experimental sciences, management and economics, mathematics, and engineering tracks. French language instruction is now limited to the first and second years, with reduced weekly hours not exceeding two hours per week for five tracks: arts, experimental sciences, management and economics, mathematics, and engineering. The computer science (الإعلام الآلي) subject was completely canceled from five tracks: foreign languages, literature and philosophy, arts, experimental sciences, and management and economics. Computer science instruction is now limited to the common core and mathematics and engineering tracks.
Context and Implications
The adjustments to Algeria's educational curriculum, including reduced study hours and subject redistribution, have prompted discussions within the educational community. These changes are scheduled to be implemented for the 2026/2027 academic year, affecting various tracks in general and technological secondary education. The Ministry of National Education had previously outlined these pedagogical preparations on August 5th of the current year. Critics have suggested that the focus on these specific changes has diverted attention towards "wrong and futile discussions," rather than addressing more fundamental pedagogical issues. The redistribution of the Arabic language curriculum and the reduction in its teaching hours, alongside the complete removal of French language instruction in the third year for several tracks, are among the notable shifts. Computer science has also been removed from five tracks, now limited to common core, mathematics, and engineering programs.