Education and Schools in Algeria

Finding high-quality education and schools in Algeria can be a challenge. New arrivals to the country are unlikely to send their children to a local Algerian school unless their young ones have a background in Algerian or Arabic culture or language or are proficient in Arabic or French. In public schools, English is only taught from middle school onwards.

When living in Algeria's main cities, you’ll have a handful of international schools to choose from. For security and practical reasons, expats working in the oilfields or beyond Algiers or Oran are unlikely to have their families with them.

Public schools in Algeria

The Algerian government has been committed to improving the public education system, which is based on the French model. There are nine years of primary and three years of secondary education. Schooling is free and compulsory for children between six and 16 in Algeria, but enrolment can be low after primary school.

The language of instruction in public schools is Arabic, with French as the first additional language. Schools also may not function at the level that most expats would expect. For these reasons, it's rare for expats to send their children to public schools in Algeria.

International schools in Algeria

There are a few international schools in Algeria, most of which can be found in the capital, Algiers. Some schools follow American or British curricula with English-speaking programmes, while others offer the International Baccalaureate or follow the French or Arabic education systems. If possible, choose a school that follows your home country's curriculum to help ease your children's transition into life in Algeria.

As is the case globally, international schools in Algeria offer excellent facilities and standards of education, but are pricey, and places may be limited. Be sure to plan well ahead and, if moving as part of an international relocation, negotiate school fees as part of your contract.

Special-needs schools in Algeria

The Algerian government has implemented an inclusion policy to accommodate children with special educational needs in mainstream schools. Although children with special needs are being enrolled in public schools, the institutions are not always sufficiently equipped to assist with these children's educational needs.

That said, specific special-needs schools are available in Algeria, as well as trained professionals who can provide private tutoring for children with special educational needs.

Tutors in Algeria

Tutors in Algeria can mainly be found online. Apprentus and TeacherOn are two such sites that register and advertise tutoring services in the country. Depending on the type of service you’re looking for, tutors can teach online or at a private studio or visit your home for one-on-one sessions. 

Tutors are useful for helping children adapt to new school curricula or a new language of instruction. This may be helpful to parents who want their children to pick up Arabic or French, or help them follow a different curriculum from their previous schools.

Useful links

• Apprentus
• TeacherOn