Abstract
This study is a social analysis of the historical conditions of the emergence of the Algerian intellectual elite. It attempts to trace and document the cultural components of two distinct educational systems, namely, the colonial and traditional schooling systems that existed in colonial Algeria. Class analysis is traced in the light of cultural and sociological factors in order to reveal the cultural revival that has long been neglected when studied from a marxist perspective. The method of analysis can be described as historical, analytical and interpretive. Sources of data are largely original English and French works, sometimes translations from Arabic and governmental documents. Further, the survey consists of a case study in an urban area, as well as interviews with education officials at the Ministry. This study concludes with a theoretical analysis of the process of the Algerian model of modernisation and the numerous policies of investment in human capital so as to meet, the needs of the country in terms of manpower. In addition it attempts to reveal the structure of the intellectual stratum through the new system of education introduced in 1976 through Fundamental school (1) as well as the social origin of students and the factors affecting their careers in the different branches of studies.