Tunisian Parliament to Examine Private Higher Education Reform in April 2025
The Tunisian Parliament is set to examine a reform project in April 2025 aimed at regulating private higher education. The text, initially proposed in 2023 by 23 deputies and validated by the Education Commission, requires private institutions to hire at least 30% of their teachers on permanent contracts, holding a doctoral degree. These professors will have to benefit from the same salary conditions and pedagogical responsibilities as their public counterparts, with a minimum salary and defined work volume. Furthermore, they will be required to teach half of the courses for each degree delivered by the institution.
The concerned establishments will have two years after the law's publication to comply with these rules. After this deadline, any new student enrollment will be prohibited, and offenders will face sanctions. The project, debated during nine sessions since October 2023, reflects a willingness to strengthen the quality of private education. The final examination session is scheduled for late May 2024.
According to official data from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, 85 private institutions operate in Tunisia for the 2024-2025 academic year, spread across several regions and covering various fields. The sector is currently regulated by Law No. 73 of 2000, structured into seven chapters and 25 articles. The revision aims to align these establishments more closely with public standards, while ensuring a gradual transition.
