Rising Violence in Tunisian Schools: A Sociologist's Warning
Mohamed Jouili, a sociology professor at the University of Tunisia, has sounded the alarm on the increasing violence in schools. Speaking on Express FM on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the sociologist estimated that the Tunisian school system no longer fulfills its traditional function of building personality and instilling values. He even denounced the fact that schools can sometimes become a space that reproduces violence instead of containing it, attributing this to profound social changes.
It Starts at Home
Jouili emphasized that while violence is inherent to human nature, societies are supposed to regulate it through the establishment of ethical, educational, and cultural systems. However, he argued that the weakening of this framework in Tunisia has made it possible for a simple dispute to escalate into a criminal act. He pointed out that the family environment plays a fundamental role in the propagation of violence, citing national studies that show 8 out of 10 children in Tunisia suffer from various forms of violence (physical, moral, or symbolic) within their own families, which they then carry into school.
The School System Has Lost Its Luster
The sociologist noted that the perception of schools has unfortunately changed radically. "Schools are now seen as mere service institutions focused on obtaining diplomas and cognitive filling, to the detriment of autonomy development, collective work, and psychological fulfillment," he suggested. He added that "this approach creates a repellent environment, generating frustration and disinterest among both students and teachers, while promoting the trivialization of violent behavior through social media."
A Call for Comprehensive Reform
Regarding the treatment of this phenomenon, Mohamed Jouili argued that a purely security-oriented or repressive approach is insufficient. He advocates for a global cultural and educational reform involving genuine collaboration between families, schools, and civil society. "The goal is to restore the symbolic value of schools, making them a space for dialogue and conflict mediation, in order to rebuild a shared system of values based on respect and belonging," he proposed.
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