$400m needed for beleaguered Tunisian schools, minister says

Education Minister Abid called for education ‘maintenance’ Tunisia – Azhar Jarboui The Tunisian Ministry of Education needs $400 million to complete “maintenance of educational institutions,” according to Education Minister Abdellatif Abid, speaking at a National Constituent Assembly plenary session on Friday.Abid estimated damages costing up to$200 million, after a spate of attacks on educational institutions throughout Tunisia between 2011 and 2012.
Last year the Ministry filed more than 1100 suits investigating attacks on schools after education became a battleground between religious and secular elements in society.
Abid’s calls come the same week the Education Minister failed in his bid as next Director-General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation [ALECSO]. This will be the first time a Tunisian does not hold the post in 12 years.
Kuwaiti Abdullah Mohareb took the Director-General top-spot after both Mauritania and Iraq removed their bids.