Tunisia Basic Education:

The Tunisian education system prioritizes education, allocating a significant portion of the government budget to it. Education is compulsory and free for all children between the ages of 6 and 16. The system is highly centralized, with the Ministry of Education overseeing policy, curriculum development, and management. Basic education (enseignement de base) lasts nine years, divided into six years of primary school and three years of preparatory school (equivalent to middle school). The academic year runs from September to June.

Primary School (6 years): Focuses on fundamental skills like arithmetic, reading, writing, and speaking, along with artistic, religious, and civic education. Subjects include History, Arabic, civics, mathematics, French, technical education, Islamic studies, music, scientific awareness, geography, and physical education.

Preparatory School (3 years): Covers grades 7 to 9, for students aged 12 to 15. The curriculum includes mathematics, Arabic language, Islamic education, history, French, natural sciences, art, physical education, geography, English, civics, and technical subjects.

While the specific 9th-year mathematics syllabus remains elusive, mathematics is a core subject throughout basic education, starting with arithmetic in primary school and continuing through preparatory school. Tunisia has been recognized as one of the top-performing countries in mathematics in the Arab region.