Major Overhaul of Subject Coefficients and Teaching Hours Set for 2026/2027 Academic Year

Educational institutions will be required to adopt new modifications for the upcoming school year, implementing significant curriculum modifications for the 2026/2027 academic year, primarily affecting subject coefficients and teaching hours. The Ministry of National Education has decided to increase the coefficient for Arabic, while the coefficient for English will be raised to 3. Conversely, the coefficient for French will be reduced across all streams. These adjustments necessitate a review of educational maps and financial positions. The changes will directly affect the number of required teachers, necessitating a review of educational maps and financial positions. The reforms are contingent on the issuance of official regulatory texts defining the new study hours and their application.

Subject Coefficient Adjustments

Mathematics will be strengthened as a distinct subject, and the coefficient for Arabic is raised to 7. The coefficient for French is reduced to 2 for the Literature and Philosophy stream. These changes are expected to lead to a redistribution of pedagogical needs, with increased demand for English teachers and decreased demand for French teachers. This redistribution will require careful planning and resource allocation.

Study hours for French in Middle School may decrease by approximately 30 percent, while study hours for English may increase by approximately 15 percent. For the Experimental Sciences stream, the English coefficient is increased to 3. The Management and Economy stream also sees the English coefficient increased to 3.

In the Mathematics stream, the coefficient for Mathematics is set to 8, showing its enhanced importance. For this same stream, the English coefficient is increased to 3. The subject of Computer Science (الإعلام الآلي) is additionally introduced for the Mathematics stream with a coefficient of 3, reflecting a growing emphasis on digital literacy. For the foreign languages stream, the coefficient for a third foreign language (German, Spanish, or Italian) is set to 6, promoting linguistic diversity.

Impact on Teacher Demand and Finance

The upcoming curriculum adjustments are anticipated to significantly affect financial positions, particularly concerning French and English teachers. The changes will significantly impact financial positions, particularly for French and English teachers, as staffing needs shift. For the Engineering stream, formerly known as Technical Mathematics, the subject of Computer Science (المعلوماتية) will be added to the curriculum, integrating modern technological skills. Concurrently, the coefficient for Mathematics within the Engineering stream is set to decrease to 5. The coefficient for Physical Sciences in the Engineering stream will also be reduced to 4 as part of these reforms. These changes are expected to necessitate a reallocation of resources and staffing within educational institutions, directly influencing the number of required teachers.

Implementation and Planning Needs

The reforms require precise preparation of the national and provincial educational map, considering teacher rights and ensuring a smooth transition across all institutions. This precise preparation must consider existing teacher rights and ensure a smooth transition across all institutions. Educational directorates will be tasked with reallocating positions between institutions and provinces and revising timetables to align with the revised subject coefficients and teaching hours. This reallocation also includes the revision of timetables for the 2026/2027 academic year. Educational institutions may need to offer specialized training or retraining courses for some teachers to adapt to the new curriculum requirements and pedagogical demands. These measures are key for the effective implementation of the upcoming changes, ensuring that staffing levels and teacher competencies match the updated educational framework.