Private Nurseries and Kindergartens in Crisis
Since September 1, 2025, private nurseries and kindergartens have been going through a difficult phase. The president of the National Syndicate Chamber, Nabiha Kammoun, described the situation as "challenging," emphasizing that the profession is in constant decline.
Multiple Causes
This fragility is due to the multiplication of unregulated structures, the emergence of private academies and institutions, and the integration of the preparatory year into public schools. These new educational alternatives are attracting many parents and depriving nurseries of a sufficient number of enrollments.
Alarming Figures
In two years, nearly 500 establishments have closed their doors. While in 2022-2023, Tunisia had approximately 6,000 kindergartens, the latest statistics from the Ministry of Family reveal that only 5,698 remain, spread across 24 governorates. Worse still, only 3,175 are still active. This hemorrhage highlights a worrying loss of momentum for the sector.
Survival Conditional on Attendance
According to Ms. Kammoun, the solution lies in the ability to attract a sufficient number of children. She recalls that nurseries and kindergartens have specialized training and adapted pedagogical tools to ensure the well-being and development of young children. However, the dispersion of children among different structures deprives accredited establishments of the stability necessary to survive.
A Now Secondary Role
formerly, only kindergartens offered the preparatory year, making them a central player in pre-school education. Today, they have become a secondary choice in the face of alternatives offered by public schools and private academies, which exacerbates their marginalization.
A Call to Action
The president of the Syndicate Chamber warns of a risk of progressive disappearance of private kindergartens if no measures are taken. She insists on the need to protect the profession, combat unregulated structures, and guarantee children a quality educational program. The future of the sector depends, according to her, on an urgent reform to preserve its essential role in early childhood education in Tunisia.
