Back-to-school preparations: New rules, textbooks and repairs for fire-damaged schools

With the 2026-2027 school year only days away, Algeria’s Education Ministry is rushing to complete preparations across the country. Special attention is going to schools damaged by recent fires, particularly in Jijel and Béjaïa.

Education Minister Mohamed Seghir Saadaoui brought sector officials together on Thursday to review rehabilitation work, support for affected students, textbook supplies and the final measures before classes resume. The fires damaged 23 schools in Jijel and six in Béjaïa. Officials must coordinate repairs with local authorities and housing services, with all work and handovers due before September 10, 2026.

The ministry also ordered a detailed census of affected students and staff. Officials will record the students’ school levels and identify those receiving treatment in Jijel or other provinces. Students and employees affected by the fires are to receive psychological, educational, social and material assistance.

Some displaced families are staying in schools temporarily converted into shelters. Local authorities must find alternative accommodation so those schools can reopen for classes. The ministry also called for special monitoring of hospitalized students.

Textbook distribution is another major part of the preparations. More than 80 million books have been mobilized nationally, including 30 million for free distribution and more than 26 million for sale. The distribution network includes 38 outlets operated by the National Office of School Publications, 1,641 authorized bookstores and 7,774 designated schools. The ministry highlighted the need to ensure books are available for students with visual impairments.