Kifayat: A Memory of Primary Education in Tunisia
Kifayat (Reading Book) was one of the most important reference textbooks in Tunisian primary schools during the old system. It was first published by the National Pedagogical Center in 1989 as an introductory reading book for first-year pupils, with around 74 pages. It was authored by leading educators such as Haj Omar Hussein, Haj Faraj Ali, Salwa Hamzaoui and Samia Toumi Sakli.
The book reflected a new educational vision based on the concept of basic competencies, equipping children with essential skills in reading, writing, and expression instead of relying solely on rote memorization. Its lessons were designed with short, simple texts, colorful illustrations, and practice exercises that helped pupils progress step by step from letters to words, then to sentences and full texts.
Historically, the idea of introducing the basic competencies approach began in the mid-1990s. During the 1995–1996 school year, it was first tested experimentally in selected primary classes. The first evaluation of pupils’ acquisition of competencies took place in October 1996. Later, a national seminar titled “School of Tomorrow: The Basic Competencies Program, A New Approach to Learning and Evaluation” was held in Tunis on May 4–5, 1998, reflecting the strong official interest in this reform.
With the arrival of new educational reforms in the early 2000s, notably the 2002 reform, Kifayat was gradually phased out of classrooms. Yet, it remains a powerful memory for an entire generation of Tunisian students. Many still recall its texts and illustrations that marked the beginning of their school journey, seeing it as a symbol of public education in its golden era.
Today, digital copies of the book circulate on educational websites and forums. It stands as both a valuable reference for those studying the evolution of Tunisian curricula and a cultural artifact of shared memory. Kifayat was more than a reading book, it was a milestone in Tunisia’s educational history, blending pedagogical ambition with practical application and leaving a lasting mark on an entire generation.
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