Tunisia Gives 900,000 Kids Better Schools in 6 Years

Nearly one million Tunisian children now walk into brighter classrooms, play on safer playgrounds, and learn from better-trained teachers thanks to a six-year education transformation that refused to quit.

The PREFAT project launched in 2018 with a clear mission: bring quality early education to Tunisia's 12 most struggling regions. Despite a pandemic and countless obstacles, the program delivered for 900,000 students, with girls making up more than half the beneficiaries.

The numbers tell a story of dedication. Tunisia built around 100 new preschool classrooms where none existed before, welcoming 9,429 children this school year into spaces designed just for them. Another 80 schools got complete renovations, from playgrounds to bathrooms. Some 2,500 classrooms received new furniture, and more than 1,600 computer labs brought digital learning to rural areas.

But the real magic happened in teacher training rooms. More than 2,000 preschool teachers learned innovative methods like theatrical activities to engage young minds. Over 55,000 primary teachers upgraded their skills between 2019 and 2025, learning everything from life skills to modern pedagogy.

Ameni Hasni, teaching in rural Kasserine, sees the difference daily. "Preschool education now thrives in a well-equipped, colorful classroom that fosters a psychological state conducive to effective learning," she says. Her students arrive ready to engage, supported by environments designed for their social and emotional growth.

Salma Meyel in Zaghouan notices something even more remarkable. "There's a clear difference between children who attended preschool and those who didn't in their behavior, interactions with peers, and even posture in the classroom," she observes.

Parents feel it too. Sihem Boukhili from Jendouba watches her son's transformation with joy. "He is now enthusiastic about learning and enjoys every moment at school," she says. "He doesn't want to come home anymore!"

The Ripple Effect

Beyond physical upgrades, Tunisia modernized how education works. The new Tarbia.tn digital portal now connects students, parents, teachers, and administrators in one place. Standardized assessments like EGRA and EGMA help identify exactly where children struggle with reading and math, turning guesswork into targeted support.

These assessments tested thousands of children and revealed specific gaps that teachers can now address with precision. Data drives decisions, and decisions drive results.

The transformation reaches beyond individual schools into entire communities. When nearly 10,000 preschoolers in disadvantaged areas get their first taste of quality education, they carry that foundation forward. When 55,000 teachers learn better methods, hundreds of thousands of students benefit for years to come.

Tunisia partnered with the World Bank since 1963 to build this education system, and PREFAT represents the latest chapter in a decades-long commitment. The foundation is set, the path is clear, and Tunisia's children are learning, growing, and dreaming bigger than ever before.