Training
Large state investments have been made in the
school system. Today, only about 3 percent of young
Tunisians are illiterate, while the proportion of
residents who have an academic education has quadrupled
since 1990, from just over 3 to 12 percent. Older women
in many cases still lack reading and writing skills, but
among the young there is almost no difference.
Schooling is compulsory and in principle free of
charge until the age of 16. Despite governmental efforts
in the school system, there is a shortage of teachers,
while the school premises are of low standards.
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COUNTRYAAH:
Country facts of Tunisia, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.
Virtually all children begin elementary school, which
consists of a six-year elementary school, including
preschool, and a three-year secondary school. A
four-year voluntary high school qualifies students for
study at any of the country's dozens of state or twenty
private universities or technical colleges. One third of
all young people continue to study at university level.
By mid-2010, about two-thirds of the students were
women.
But the many thousands who finish their academic
studies each year find it difficult to find a qualified
job that corresponds to their competence. Nearly a third
of those with an academic education were unemployed by
the mid-2010s.
State schools dominate, but there are also private
educational institutions and Quran schools. Teaching in
elementary school and increasingly in higher education
takes place in Arabic. French also exists, but mainly at
the university level. After the 2011 revolution, Islamic
schools, which have long been banned, have been added,
but the state school system has at the same time been
given new guidelines in recent years. Among other
things, human rights have been set up as an element of
teaching.
At the end of 2019, it was announced that sexual
literacy education (called sexual health) should be
introduced in elementary school. One purpose is to
prevent harassment. A notable case in a village outside
Sfax, where a teacher exposed children to abuse, is
considered to have contributed to the need for
attention. However, some topics, such as discussing
sexual orientation, such as homosexuality, are believed
to remain sensitive.
- Educationvv: Provides school and education information in Tunisia, covering middle school, high school and college education.
FACTS - EDUCATION
Proportion of children starting primary
school
98.6 percent (2013)
Number of pupils per teacher in primary
school
16 (2016)
Reading and writing skills
79.0 percent (2014)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of GDP
22.9 percent (2015)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of the state budget
22.9 percent (2015)
2014
December
Second round of presidential elections
The official result shows that Essebsi won with the support of 55.7 percent
of voters, against 44.3 for Marzouki. Essebsi taking office on New Year's Eve
will be Tunisia's first democratically elected president. He promises by his
accession to work for national reconciliation.
Militant Islamists behead police
The deed that is taking place near the border with Algeria is another
reminder of the difficult security situation in the country.
November
Terrorist attack in northern Tunisia
Five soldiers die and ten are injured in what is described as a terrorist
attack on a bus carrying military and relatives near Nebeur in northwestern
Tunisia. Marzouki announces a day's grief after the attack.
First round of presidential elections
November 23
Among the 27 candidates in the presidential election are Nida Tune's leader
Béji Caïd Essebsi, interim president Marzouki who is the CPR candidate,
President Mustapha Ben Jafar who is Ettakatol's candidate and al-Hashemi
al-Hamedi who is running for al-Mahaba. Two former ministers from Ben Ali's
regime: Kamel Morjane and Mondher Zenaidi, are also in the starting field.
Ennahda does not stand with any presidential candidate. Essebsi gets 39 percent
of the vote compared to 33 percent for Marzouki. There will thus be a second
round of elections between them on December 21st.
October
The parliamentary elections are held
The October 26 elections run without any more serious incidents. The turnout
is 66 percent. According to preliminary results, the liberal Nida Tounes will be
the biggest, while Ennahda will be placed second. (see further Political
system). The other two parties in the previous coalition, CPR and Ettakatol, are
also losing support. The lack of economic and social reforms is believed to be
the reason voters turn their backs on them, despite the fact that they root
ashore the important task of getting a new constitution in place. Other portions
described as predominantly secularbut more right-wing than CPR and Ettakatol are
on the other hand. (For distribution of seats, see fact box in the right
column.) UN chief Ban Ki-Moon and several Western governments commend Tunisia
for the election, which is called an important step on the path to a functioning
democracy.
August
Problems at the border with Libya
The pressure is increasing at the border crossings from Libya, due to the
deteriorating security situation there.
July
New attack in the mountains
At least 14 soldiers are killed and over 20 injured in the Chambi mountain
area near the border with Algeria, in what is described as the most serious
attack on the armed forces since independence in 1956. After the attack, three
days of country grief is announced and Prime Minister Jomaa says a crisis group
will be appointed to coordinate the government's strategy against the Islamists.
More than 30 suspected Islamists are arrested following the attack.
June
Attempt terrorist acts
The al-Qaeda group Aqim takes on an attempted attack on the interior minister
in May. This is the first time that Aqim has confirmed its presence in the
country.
May
New electoral law is adopted
An important step towards fully functioning democracy is taken when the
transition parliament adopts a new electoral law.
April
The president lowers his salary
Marzouki announces that he is reducing his salary by two-thirds, due to the
economic crisis in the country. According to a spokesman, the monthly salary is
approximately SEK 125,000.
Support from the World Bank
Tunisia will receive $ 1.2 billion during the year from the World Bank. The
new constitution and the appointment of the transitional government are raising
high hopes for Tunisia is on the right track. The money will, among other
things, go to promote growth and job creation, strengthen local government,
increase access to credit for small and medium-sized companies, and facilitate
the export sector.
March
Governors are replaced
Prime Minister Jomaa replaces 18 of the country's 24 governors and dismisses
17 government advisers. The opposition demands that even more appointments made
by the Ennahda government be reviewed. Ennahda is accused of having appointed
loyal followers to thousands of posts, in order to gain an upper hand for
upcoming elections.
February
Visit by US Secretary of State
John Kerry and President Marzouki talk about economic exchange and
cooperation against terrorism.
Wanted Islamist is killed
A main suspect for the assassinations of opposition politicians Belaid and
al-Brahmi (see February and July 2013) is killed by security forces.
January
A new constitution is adopted
The Constituent Assembly votes in favor of the proposal with 200 votes out of
216 possible. Mehdi Jomaa says he has formed a transitional government.
Change of Prime Minister post
Prime Minister Larayedh resigns as scheduled and hands over to Mehdi Jomaa.
According to the UGTT, the transfer of power could take place after an
independent election authority was formed, a condition of Ennahda.
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