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 ALGIERS 00001171 002 OF 002 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