The timing of new educational reforms in Tunisia is sparking controversy. Critics are taking issue with the decision to launch major changes as a critical election looms and the country faces terror threats.
Sixth year primary school students will now have to pass an exam, Education Minister Fathi Jarray said last week in Tunis following a cabinet meeting.
The decision about the need to pass that exam would be implemented as of the 2014-2015 school year, the minister said in a press conference.
Jarray also said that the ministry decided to introduce French as of the second year and English as of the third year, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.
These reforms by Jomaa's government came at a time when Tunisia is facing a precarious security situation in view of the terrorist threats aimed at destabilising the political atmosphere to postpone or cancel elections.
Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou confirmed on August 30th that "there are serious terrorist threats this September in southern border areas and mountains away from cities."
"Security units have been redeployed as part of joint units with the army, and there have also been pre-emptive strikes," he added.
On his Facebook page, Sami Tahri, deputy secretary-general of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), said that the move came just 15 days before the start of the school year, adding that "The decision to reinstate the sixth year exams starting next year is a crime against hundreds of thousands of students who spent summer after succeeding in their fifth year exams preparing for a regular year, only to be surprised with this compulsory exam; something that they haven't been prepared for in 5 years of school. This would be a psychological shock above anything else."
"And teaching French as of the second year and English as of the third year is against all rules of psychology, educational psychology, pedagogy and sociology," the labour leader stated. "This option was previously tried and was soon cancelled because of its negative impact on the student's psychological, personal and cognitive balance. All world countries don't confuse the minds of their children with more than one language at a specific age, and UNICEF has its own opinions on that."
The union has proposed the reforms over a three-year period before the bac so that students, teachers and schools can prepare.
"These reforms require a national dialogue and therefore, need much time and effort," student Chiheb Dhouibi agreed. "However, this interim government is not qualified for this because it has other priorities at its short time in office, namely to try to improve the security situation in the country, which is facing terrorist threats."
Mohab Gherairi, a baccalaureate student, told Magahrebia: "I think baccalaureate reforms are very important because they would make students depend more on themselves in passing the exam, which is deemed as the most important phase in their education."
"However, this is not the right time because students are not prepared for that now," Gherairi added.
© Magharebia.com 2014
