In a powerful demonstration of solidarity and demand for change, teachers across Algeria launched a strike on Wednesday, protesting low salaries and worsening working conditions. This call to action follows recent student demonstrations, marking a rare wave of protests in a country where public dissent has become increasingly infrequent.
The latest strikes see classrooms empty as students observed the shutdown from the sidelines. Many students were seen outside their shuttered schools, uncertain of how to navigate these sudden days off. These coordinated strikes by both teachers and students highlight growing frustrations towards the government's handling of educational and economic issues.
Hafidha Amiréche, a veteran trade unionist, underscored the importance of the right to strike in Algeria, describing it as a constitutional right integral to the nation’s democratic framework. It's a critical time for us, especially as many rights are gradually being curtailed, Amiréche pointed out, reflecting broader concerns in Algerian society, including limitations on media freedoms, women's rights, and political opposition.
Algeria, a country with substantial natural gas reserves, has historically prided itself on providing free education, positioning it as a key pillar for national development. Despite this, the educational system has faced mounting criticism. With education expenses second only to military spending, public dissatisfaction targets widespread governmental failings such as spiraling costs, endemic corruption, and a stagnant job market for the educated youth.
Teachers argue their current compensation does not reflect their qualifications and responsibilities. Many young, educated Algerians are now looking overseas to find better opportunities, illustrated by a steady rise in European visa applications. In response to these economic challenges, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has instituted several wage increases, including for public sector employees such as teachers, who saw a 37% salary hike during his initial term. Despite this, union representatives stress that starting salaries hover just above minimum wage levels, pressing for additional increments.
Algeria's contemporary protests reflect echoes from 2019, when diverse societal groups united in opposition to entrenched economic and political control by a select elite. This unified movement highlighted enduring frustrations that continue to simmer beneath the surface, despite tighter controls on activism and diminished union powers.
Even students have taken a stand, opposing what they see as outdated educational practices incompatible with modern demands. Protests both in schools and through digital platforms, including TikTok, speak to a generational discontent. Second-year high school student, Lilya Saoudi, expressed her cohort's frustrations, noting, We’re Generation Z and the AI revolution is already permeating our daily lives.”
Mohamed Seghir Sadaoui, Algeria’s newly appointed Minister of Education, has recognized these rising concerns and vowed to implement reforms. Following a federal audit that illuminated systemic deficiencies, Sadaoui has committed to improving curricula to better prepare students for future job landscapes.
As these strikes unfold, they represent more than a demand for higher teacher wages—they signal a critical juncture for Algeria to confront its economic and educational challenges seriously. Amidst these turbulent times, teachers, students, and unions alike call for a re-evaluation of priorities, striving not just for individual gains but a systemic overhaul to ensure sustainable progress for future generations.