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Tunisia has always placed
great value on education. More than 20 percent of the
government operating budget is annually allocated for
primary and secondary education, a figure that is among
the highest in the world. Education in Tunisia is free
and accessible to everyone. Schooling is compulsory
between the ages of 6 and 16.
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Extensive
reform of the educational system has led to more
schools in rural areas, a greater percentage of
girls in school, and a curriculum with more emphasis
on the sciences and vocational training. The net
rate of school enrollment for 6-year- old children
has reached more than 99%. The net rate of enrollment
in primary schools for ages 6 to 12 is 92%.
In Tunisia, the state guarantees free education
to all school-age children regardless of gender
or region. The ratio of female students has thus
reached 51.1% in secondary schools and 53.9% in
higher education in 2002. Schooling is compulsory
until the 9th grade. Today, more than one out
of four Tunisians attends school. The total number
of students registered in public educational institutions
has reached more than 2.4 million in the course
of the 2000-2001 academic year.
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Since
1987, a far-reaching effort has been initiated by President
Ben Ali to reform the educational system by introducing
the values of tolerance, openness, democracy and human
rights, while doing away with all expressions of bigotry,
sexism and fanaticism in textbooks and school curricula.
Proficiency in foreign languages and new technologies
is also strongly encouraged.
During the academic year 2001-2002, 226,100 young men
and women attended Tunisia's seven universities.
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