Education
In 1976 Algeria abolished the country’s private, French-language schools and began a complete reform of the educational system. By law, children between the ages of 6 and 15 are required to attend school. Primary school lasts for six years, and students enroll in a secondary school for an additional four years. About one-third of Algerian students then continue their studies in a three-year high school program. The Algerian government has increased its financial support of the nation’s schools. The state places its greatest emphasis on teacher training, on adult literacy, and on technical and scientific courses of study. The government also supports vocational and technical training. Despite these efforts, nearly 20 percent of Algeria’s children do not attend school, and only about 45 percent of the population can read and write. Algeria has eight universities, the largest of which is the University of Algiers. Opened in 1879, this institution enrolls more than 15,000 students and has separate schools of law, medicine, science, and the liberal arts.