The Ministry of Education has implemented a computerized system for distributing substitute teachers – across both primary schools and secondary institutions – based on vacant positions, officials confirmed Saturday. The ministry asserts the system ensures transparency by removing human intervention from the assignment process.
The move comes amid scrutiny from parliamentarians regarding the regularization of substitute teachers and allegations of potential corruption. Ministry officials stated that no appointments made through regional delegations have been revoked, except in cases of legal non-compliance. These instances primarily involve discrepancies with the “LMD” system – a European standard for higher education qualifications – or a mismatch between a teacher’s university specialization and the subject they are assigned to teach.
Regarding the 2026 recruitment cycle, the Ministry of Education stated that assignments were based on age and family situation. Priority was given to older candidates and those who are married with dependents. These criteria, the ministry emphasized, are “immutable and not subject to challenge.”
Responding to accusations of impropriety, the Ministry has called for concrete evidence related to any “suspicions of corruption” in the recruitment process, stating it will open administrative investigations to determine responsibility. This clarification follows a response published Friday to inquiries from Members of Parliament Mohamed Majdi and Nour Jreidi, who had raised concerns about “blockages” and “opacity bordering on deliberate suspicion of corruption” in the regularization of substitute teachers.
Education Minister Noureddine Nouri affirmed Wednesday during a parliamentary hearing that the ministry has reached a critical stage in regularizing the status of substitute teachers in public primary, middle, and high schools, in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 21 of 2025. The implementation of the computerized system is intended to further streamline this process.
The management of substitute teacher placements is delegated to the IEN de circonscription (district education inspectors), with priority given to placements within their district and then across the wider relevant area, according to available guidelines. The Ministry of Education is currently piloting and monitoring the RCD (Replacement Teacher) policy at the establishment, departmental, regional, and ministerial levels.
