• Algeria and Belarus agree to form joint committee to expand education cooperation
  

• Talks focus on vocational training, digital integration, and aligning education with job needs
  

• Algeria’s school system faces rising enrollment, with 12 million students nationwide

Algeria and Belarus discussed expanding their educational cooperation during a meeting in Algiers on Tuesday, the state-run Algeria Press Service (APS) reported.

Algerian Education Minister Mohammed Seghir Sadaoui and his Belarusian counterpart Andrei Ivanets explored ways to deepen collaboration in what both governments consider a strategic sector, according to APS.

No timeline was provided, but the ministers said they must first establish a solid working framework before rolling out joint initiatives. They plan to form a joint committee to outline the terms and next steps of a future partnership.

During the meeting, Sadaoui presented an overview of Algeria’s education system, highlighting its tuition-free model and policies aimed at ensuring equal access. He also underlined the social role of schools, the growing importance of technological and vocational education, the integration of digital tools and efforts to improve learning conditions.

APS reported that these priorities are part of the government’s goal to better align education with the needs of a changing job market.

The talks come as Algeria and Belarus continue to strengthen their political and economic ties, and at a time when Algeria’s school system faces mounting pressure. For the 2025–2026 academic year, nearly 12 million students are enrolled nationwide, including more than 1 million new entrants, across about 30,000 schools. The country’s youthful demographics remain a key driver of this growth: according to the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), 30% of Algerians are under the age of 15.

In a separate assessment, UNESCO has highlighted significant gaps in teacher training and recruitment in Algeria, saying improvements are needed to raise learning quality and integrate educational technology more effectively.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou