In the wake of celebrations marking National Student Day, which commemorates the 70th anniversary of the historic strike on May 19, 1956, a ceremony took place on Tuesday at the National Institute of Higher Training for Youth and Sports Cadres (INFSCJS) in Algiers. Presided over by the Minister of Youth, Mustapha Hidaoui, the event served as a platform to announce that procedures are currently being finalized to elevate the institute into a higher national school.
This gathering aligns perfectly with the values of gratitude, historical memory, and patriotic dedication championed by National Student Day. Stressing “the involvement of students in the broader momentum currently sweeping across Algeria,” Mustapha Hidaoui referenced the official message delivered by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for this commemorative event. In his address, the Head of State pointed out that the contemporary student generation stands as the rightful successor to its predecessors, who fought courageously in the national liberation struggle. This serves as a symbolic pause to remember that in Algeria, scholars have never been mere observers of history, but rather some of its most resolute architects, Mr. Hidaoui stated, according to a press release from his department.
The official reemphasized during the event “the deep commitment that his ministry dedicates to facilities tasking themselves with the instruction of youth leaders.”
Furthermore, Mustapha Hidaoui highlighted “the ongoing finalization of the ultimate administrative steps required to transform the INFSCJS into a higher school.” Consequently, this institution will fall under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education. This transformation aims, according to his remarks, to “raise the standards of academic training alongside the caliber of coaching and mentorship, yielding significant advantages for Algerian youth.”
The minister additionally urged scholars to “apply their academic achievements directly in the field,” inviting them to participate in various ministerial initiatives, particularly the “DZ Young Leaders” program and seasonal summer camps, with the objective of fostering “a sense of enterprise, accountability, and leadership qualities among the young generation.”
The event was further highlighted by musical showcases and an exhibition spotlighting clubs established within diverse youth centers under the umbrella of the “DZ Young Leaders” initiative. According to the department’s statement, this presentation reflects “the vitality, innovation, and resolve demonstrated by Algerian students in service to the homeland.” It is also worth noting that Mustapha Hidaoui took the opportunity to honor standout students and newly promoted faculty members at the institute, recognizing their contributions toward teaching and mentoring tomorrow’s youth leaders.
This commemoration primarily revives the memory of a pivotal crossroads in the Algerian revolution. Indeed, May 19, 1956, remains a date etched in bold within the collective national memory. On that day, Algerian university and high school students chose to abandon their classrooms to enlist directly in the ranks of the national liberation war. It was a radical decision, forged amidst fierce colonial oppression, rampant arbitrary detentions, torture, and widespread assassinations. The directive was unmistakable: the hour of liberation had arrived.