The Ministry of National Education has approved a new ministerial circular outlining organizational and pedagogical measures for "directed work" sessions in middle schools. These full measures are designed to enhance the educational experience for all middle school students, including a substantial number of 5th-grade primary students transitioning to 1st grade middle school. The approval of this important circular follows Decision No. 19, dated July 28, 2026, which specifically concerns the approval of teaching hours and coefficients for middle school. This decision provides the foundational framework for the new pedagogical approach.
New Learning Structure Details
Directed work sessions are structured to occur at an average of one hour every two weeks for specific subjects across 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades in middle school. These sessions will cover core subjects including Arabic, Mathematics, English, and French for these grade levels, ensuring a broad application of the new methodology. The consistent scheduling aims to provide regular, focused attention to these critical areas of study. For 4th-grade students, who are preparing for the rigorous 2026/2027 middle school certificate exam, a more frequent schedule is planned to support their academic readiness. They will receive one one-hour study session weekly for both Arabic and Mathematics, acknowledging the central role these subjects play in their examination. Additionally, 4th-grade students will have English and French directed work sessions programmed for one hour every two weeks, mirroring the schedule of the earlier grades but with the added intensity for their core subjects.
The Ministry of National Education has confirmed that these directed work sessions will be integrated into the official timetables of educational institutions, ensuring they are a fundamental part of the curriculum rather than an optional add-on. A key arrangement for these sessions involves dividing a class group into two smaller groups. This division aims to significantly improve learning conditions and provide more effective pedagogical support to students during the directed work periods. The structured approach seeks to offer focused attention and targeted assistance within the specified subject areas, allowing educators to address individual student needs more effectively within a smaller group setting.
Implementation and Oversight
A dispatch dated August 6 of the current month instructed the Directorate General of Education to implement the outlined measures with immediate effect. The Directorate General of Education emphasized the necessity of broadly distributing this ministerial circular to all middle school educational institutions. This directive ensures that all relevant parties, including teachers, administrators, and parents, are fully informed about the new protocols and their implications for student learning.
Middle school principals and directors of private education institutions are mandated to adopt serious arrangements to unify the application of these measures and prevent any deviation from the established legislation. This strict instruction shows the Ministry's commitment to ensuring consistent and equitable implementation across the entire middle school system. The measures are being implemented in application of Circular No. 243/002/13, which was dated August 26, 2013, providing a long-standing regulatory framework for the initiative and noting a continued commitment to educational reform.
Context and Objectives
The implementation of directed work sessions aims to significantly improve the quality of learning for middle school students by providing structured, focused support. Officials stated that a core objective is enhancing existing pedagogical practices within the educational system, moving towards more dynamic and student-centric teaching methods. The initiative also seeks to reinforce an approach that considers the individual differences among students, providing tailored support to meet their diverse learning needs and fostering an inclusive educational environment. This structured intervention is designed to create a more effective and equitable learning environment across all middle school grades, ultimately contributing to better academic outcomes and student development.