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After two years of difficult discussions, the Tunisian people adopted the new Constitution on 26 January 2014. “Tunisia is entering a second Republic – and this time, a democratic one!” is the emphatic view of Taher Dhaker, General Secretary of the UGTT’s primary school teachers’ union (SGEB/UGTT).

Allied with the democratic forces in civil society, the UGTT and its teaching unions, all EI affiliates, battled tirelessly to strengthen threatened fundamental rights (separation of powers, independent judiciary, freedom of the press, freedom of association, right to organise, right to strike and protest, etc.). “History has been made: gender equality has been voted in and will happen in our institutions!” confirmed Taher Dhaker.

He said the battle to save foreign language teaching ??in mainstream education had been hard-fought, but he was very pleased with the passing of Article 38 which provides that: “Education is compulsory up to the age of 16. The State guarantees the right to free public education at all levels and will see that the necessary provision is made to deliver quality education, teaching and training”.

There is now an uphill struggle before the new government, which has set its priorities to rebuild a country in a difficult socio-economic plight: economic recovery, application of the social contract, security in the country, and transparency in the legislative and presidential elections to be held in 2014.

“Tunisian democrats wrested a progressive constitution into existence. A sharp watch will have to be kept on how it is interpreted and applied!” concluded Dhaker.

EI: Support for Tunisian colleagues

"Our Tunisian colleagues are taking a historic step towards democracy; Education International stands united with them so that Tunisian education continues to promote the democratic values enshrined in the new constitution," said EI General Secretary Fred Van Leeuwen.