EDUCATION MINISTER: GIVE US MORE ENGLISH, MORE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ALGIERS 001171

SIPDIS

RABAT PLEASE PASS TO RELO RUTHER PETZOLD
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO NEA/PI CATHERINE BOURGEOIS, NEA/MAG
JESSICA PATTERSON AND NEA/PPD PEN AGNEW

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018
TAGS: PGOV EDU AG
SUBJECT: EDUCATION MINISTER: GIVE US MORE ENGLISH, MORE
ASSISTANCE

Classified By: Ambassador David D. Pearce; reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

1.(C) SUMMARY: Minister of National Education Aboubakr
Benbouzid expressed his appreciation to the Ambassador for
current USG education programs, but said he wanted to see
bilateral programs in this area greatly expanded. The
minister was not necessarily looking for funds, but rather
expertise to improve national programs, particularly in the
area of English training. He said "an investment in human
capital is the best way to create a more stable society that
rejects terrorism." The Ambassador said assistance in this
area was a priority area of interest for the USG and that we
would work with the ministry to look for ways to expand our
cooperation. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) The Ambassador began an October 15 introductory
meeting with Benbouzid by emphasizing that bilateral
cooperation in education was a USG priority and providing the
minister a tour d'horizon of current MEPI and ECA funded
programs and exchanges. In particular, the Ambassador cited
the success of MEPI e-Math and EFL training, the ACCESS
program, the Youth Enrichment Program, and the work of the
Regional English Language Officer. Benbouzid interjected
that he was pleased with these programs, particularly the
e-Math program. When the Ambassador inquired whether the
ministry had yet procured the software license to expand the
program, the minister and his director of cooperation talked
around the subject, and it was clear that little progress had
been made.


3. (C) Benbouzid, who has held the education portfolio for
twelve years, spoke of the good relationship he has had with
the Embassy and the broader positive relationship between
Algeria and the U.S. in counter-terrorism. In the education
sector, Benbouzid wished cooperation could be at the same
level it is with historic U.S. allies in the region such as
Egypt, Morocco and Lebanon. He stated that the blame lay not
only with the United States, but also with historically
socialist Algeria. Given that Algeria is the United States'
most important trade partner in the region, he lamented, "the
level of assistance does not reflect the economic
relationship."


4. (C) Veering away from the question of cooperation, the
minister gave the Ambassador a macro-level view of the work
of his ministry, which covers primary and secondary
education. He stated his belief that "an investment in human
capital is the best way to create a more stable society that
rejects terrorism." Benbouzid reported that Algeria had 8
million students below the university level and nearly
600,000 civil servants working as teachers or administrators.
To put this figure in a regional context, he said, the
number of students in Algeria was equal to the entire
population of Tunisia. Education at all levels, including at
universities, is financed completely by the state.


5. (C) The Ambassador asked Benbouzid for examples of the
kind of cooperation he was seeking with the U.S. Stating our
willingness to help with English language instruction, the
Ambassador also asked if Algerian youth were committed to
learning English. Benbouzid said that there was an a very
strong desire among young Algerians to learn English and
quoted President Bouteflika's well-known comment that
"English will drive development." The Ambassador said the
Embassy would work with the ministry to look for ways to
increase collaboration on education projects. Benbouzid
responded that his ministry was not necessarily seeking
funds, but expertise to implement reforms to the education
system.


6. (C) COMMENT: While it was reassuring that Benbouzid made
overtures about increased cooperation, there was little
substance regarding what form this cooperation might take.
Algeria is already the largest recipient of MEPI funds in the
education pillar and the Embassy's public affairs staff has,
despite a significant investment of time and resources, had
difficulty in getting the ministry to be a full partner in

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these programs. Nevertheless, Algeria's massive youth
demographic has become a critical front line in the struggle
against radicalization and extremism in the region, making
the development of broader, deeper education programs,
particularly in the area of English language instruction, a
vital area of engagement. We will seek to identify current
and future projects to devise a concept for broader
engagement, taking advantage of U.S. expertise and Algerian
funding.


7. (U) This cable was delayed in transmission.
PEARCE