The recent sexual assault of a three-year-old child in a kindergarten has sparked widespread outrage across Tunisia, raising pressing questions about the safety of early childhood institutions, recruitment standards for staff, and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms.
In a statement to Tunisie Numérique, former Inspector General of Youth and Childhood Hédi Riahi provided detailed insights into the legal framework governing the sector and the challenges it faces.
A Large and Expanding Sector
According to Riahi, kindergartens, nurseries, and after-school childcare facilities are institutions dedicated to supporting children before and during their school years. Operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Family, Women, Children and Seniors, the sector is extensive, with nearly 6,000 kindergartens, around 550 nurseries, and approximately 3,000 after-school childcare centers across Tunisia.
Strict Requirements for Educational Staff
Riahi emphasized that employees in these institutions must be specialized educational professionals, in line with ministerial regulations and official specifications. Educators are required to graduate from recognized institutions such as the Institute for Childcare Executives in Carthage Dermech, the Youth Training Institute in Bir El Bey, or hold certified vocational training in early childhood education.
Recruitment is subject to administrative review, including the submission of a criminal record (Bulletin No. 3) confirming the absence of prior convictions, making it theoretically impossible for unqualified individuals to supervise children.
The ministry has also introduced qualifying training programs for experienced workers to formalize their status and enhance their skills—an initiative that remains in place today.
Oversight Considered Insufficient
Pedagogical monitoring is currently carried out by about 44 inspectors, supported by roughly 176 pedagogical assistants responsible for supervision, guidance, and staff training. However, Riahi believes these numbers are inadequate given the volume of licensed institutions nationwide.
He also pointed to the existence of numerous unregulated facilities, which further limits the effectiveness of inspections and underscores the need to strengthen human resources to ensure consistent and meaningful oversight.
Irregularities and the Need for Firm Law Enforcement
While acknowledging shortcomings within the sector, the former inspector stressed the importance of rigorous monitoring and strict enforcement of the law to protect children and ensure they receive proper education and care.
Educational work, he noted, requires specific skills and cannot be entrusted to untrained individuals. Educators must be equipped to support children’s overall development—intellectual, physical, psychological, social, and health-related.
Security Measures and Institutional Practices
In cases of violations, Riahi called for the application of existing legislation, particularly regarding the ban on publishing children’s photos on social media and preventing unauthorized individuals from entering educational facilities.
He also warned against allowing external entertainers to conduct cultural or recreational activities without proper authorization, arguing that such responsibilities should remain exclusively with qualified educational staff.
Gender Balance, Transparency, and Surveillance Cameras
Addressing calls to restrict educational roles to women, Riahi argued that such proposals would contradict constitutional principles, as training institutes prepare both men and women. Exposure to both genders, he said, contributes to a child’s balanced development.
He added that fully transparent classrooms are not necessarily required since children are already under constant professional supervision, noting that class sizes should not exceed 25 children.
As for surveillance cameras, their primary role is to enhance child safety and allow recordings to be reviewed if necessary. However, granting parents direct access would violate institutional privacy standards.
What's happening in Tunisia?
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for updates.
