Ivory Coast and Algeria discuss teacher training cooperation

Côte d'Ivoire and Algeria are discussing potential collaboration on training teachers for preschool, primary, and secondary education. The talks occurred on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during a meeting between N'Guessan Koffi, the Ivorian minister of education, and Selma Bakhta Mansouri, the Algerian ambassador. The discussion also included topics like the structure of education systems and the growth of technical education.

Existing partnership in technical education

The current discussions build on a long-standing partnership between the two countries in technical education and vocational training. In 2016, during a state visit by Côte d'Ivoire's president to Algeria, both nations signed a memorandum of understanding in this field. More recently, in 2023, the Ivorian ministry confirmed the implementation of the agreement, including training for trainers, ten scholarships, and collaborations with Algerian companies for students in preparatory classes.

Expanding cooperation to include basic education

While teacher training has been a focus of cooperation, the current talks aim to extend this to include teachers in basic and general secondary education, not just technical fields. In Côte d'Ivoire, the need for qualified teaching staff remains high. In August 2026, 4,900 newly hired mathematics and physics-chemistry teachers completed a second six-week training session, as part of efforts to address shortages in these subjects.

Growth of the school network and training requirements

The expansion of the school network in Côte d'Ivoire presents a significant challenge. According to a government report from March 2026, the number of middle schools and high schools increased from 294 in 2011 to 902 in 2025. For the contractual teachers participating in the new program, the training path includes two years of pedagogical follow-up and evaluation before they are integrated into the public education system. A collaboration with Algeria could help explore new methods for teacher training, though its success will depend on defining shared priorities and securing the necessary resources.