317. To this end, a literacy programme was established in Algeria for the year 2009/2010 in support of Mauritania. Moreover, a resumption of the consolidation of the achievements in this regard will be put into effect following the signing of an executive programme by the two parties in 2011. 318. On the other hand, a platform for exchanges has been put in place in agreement with South Africa. A lot of exchanges of documentation have characterized the relations with other countries of the continent. However, as part of NEPAD, two “cyber classes” have been opened in two Wilayas: Tissemsilt and Djelfa. At the same time, within the context of the AMU, the operations of certification and equivalence of school programmes have made an appreciable headway. 319. Thus, thanks to all the combined efforts and to the progress achieved by the Algerian Government through the education sector in particular, the results recorded by the education system have made it possible for Algeria to attain the Millennium Development Goals. 320. Furthermore, in the area of vocational training, several measures have been introduced for the provision of better care for this educational segment. In accordance with the recommendations of the national educational reform system and training, a new mechanism has structured the post-mandatory educational cycle into three segments: - general secondary and technical education; - vocational education; - vocational training. 321. The new guidance system towards these three segments is directed at academic and vocational education which develops pupils towards making educational choices and taking decisions. The guidance and information system was established by adopting the following measures:   the establishment of a reception, information and guidance office within every vocational training school, under the supervision of a guidance counsellor;   the development of instruments and information and communication support systems;  consultation with various sectors associated with the youth, especially the national education sector. 322. Thus, the information and communication aspect plays a very critical role as it enables the potential candidate to decide and choose between the different programmes proposed. 323. Furthermore, the State has put in place a training programme through apprenticeship. This mode of education which is less cumbersome in terms of budgetary outlay by the State also has a lot of advantages. It is more adapted to the needs and the real situations of businesses as it takes effect from the existence of a job position and operates within a vocational setting. 324. Furthermore, the conclusions of studies on the future of certificates of this type shows that apprenticeship offers better opportunities for placement, certainly as a result of mutual knowledge of the level of qualification of the candidate and the professional environment where the latter will be headed. 325. In other words, there is a training programme meant for specific categories of citizens whose care constitutes one of the sovereign mandates of the Algerian education system: 53

Select target paragraph3