Keeping Tunisia's Most Vulnerable Children on the Path to Education

In Tunisia, UNICEF is helping to keep the most vulnerable children in school through the M4D program, which addresses the multifaceted causes of school dropouts. This initiative, supported by various international donors, combines educational support, remedial education, and extracurricular activities to engage students and provide them with necessary resources. As a result, 5,893 children, including a significant percentage of girls, have benefited from these efforts, ensuring they continue their education and build a better future.

Siliana, Tunisia. 2023.

Done for UNICEF Tunisia.

Children that live in rural areas are often at a higher risk of dropping out of school. Because of the distance from their home to the school, but also the economic disadvantage many of the families face. UNICEF in collaboration with the Tunisian institutions and with the support of donors have been implementing the M4D program. According to USAID “The purpose of this project is to make an investment in human capital with a focus on securing the future of Tunisia by ensuring its children receive an education.” - Paula González Gavilanes
Children that live in rural areas are often at a higher risk of dropping out of school. Because of the distance from their home to the school, but also the economic disadvantage many of the families face. UNICEF in collaboration with the Tunisian institutions and with the support of donors have been implementing the M4D program. According to USAID “The purpose of this project is to make an investment in human capital with a focus on securing the future of Tunisia by ensuring its children receive an education.”
Najwa Zarrouk is a social worker with the regional Ministry of Social Affairs branch in Siliana, who is a key element in the school’s M4D program for students. In the photo she talks with Mohammed Faraj, 16, who is a beneficiary of the M4D program and a student at the Ibn Abi Dhiaf El Kantra Primary School. “I make sure that they are fully comfortable, so they can talk about their challenges. From there, I can connect them to a range of services,” explains Najwa. - Paula González Gavilanes
Najwa Zarrouk is a social worker with the regional Ministry of Social Affairs branch in Siliana, who is a key element in the school’s M4D program for students.
In the photo she talks with Mohammed Faraj, 16, who is a beneficiary of the M4D program and a student at the Ibn Abi Dhiaf El Kantra Primary School.
“I make sure that they are fully comfortable, so they can talk about their challenges. From there, I can connect them to a range of services,” explains Najwa.
Najwa and Mohammed walk through the school. He has been identified as being at risk of dropping out, which is why Najwa counsels him. “I was thinking of giving up and leaving school—that there’s no future for me. But Madame Najwa understood me. She convinced me to do professional trainings, and not to waste my future. She gave me solutions. And now I want to be a painter,” he said with a smile. - Paula González Gavilanes
Najwa and Mohammed walk through the school. He has been identified as being at risk of dropping out, which is why Najwa counsels him.
“I was thinking of giving up and leaving school—that there’s no future for me. But Madame Najwa understood me. She convinced me to do professional trainings, and not to waste my future. She gave me solutions. And now I want to be a painter,” he said with a smile.
In the playground extracurricular activities are going on. Mawada, 14, participates in a traditional Tunisian dance. After the activity she told UNICEF about the program “Here we have a theater club—we’re going to put on a theater performance today! We have a music club with which we recently did a show. We have a sports club, as well as dancing. These activities get us engaged in social life and help us express all the energy we have.” - Paula González Gavilanes
In the playground extracurricular activities are going on. Mawada, 14, participates in a traditional Tunisian dance.
After the activity she told UNICEF about the program “Here we have a theater club—we’re going to put on a theater performance today! We have a music club with which we recently did a show. We have a sports club, as well as dancing. These activities get us engaged in social life and help us express all the energy we have.”
Islem Dahri, 15, is also a beneficiary from the program. She said that the school’s psychology services were instrumental to not only keeping her in school after she considered dropping out, but keeping her happy and productive. “Before I saw the psychologist I was always alone, depressed, and didn’t want to interact with other kids. But after our work together I started to talk more, to make friends, and to want to spend time with them,” Islem said. - Paula González Gavilanes
Islem Dahri, 15, is also a beneficiary from the program. She said that the school’s psychology services were instrumental to not only keeping her in school after she considered dropping out, but keeping her happy and productive. “Before I saw the psychologist I was always alone, depressed, and didn’t want to interact with other kids. But after our work together I started to talk more, to make friends, and to want to spend time with them,” Islem said.
In Tunisia the M4D model has enabled 5,893 children (54% girls) and adolescents to benefit from dropout prevention activities. 231 education actors were trained on M4D, and two compensatory learning pedagogy guides were developed during the 2021-2022 school year. - Paula González Gavilanes
In Tunisia the M4D model has enabled 5,893 children (54% girls) and adolescents to benefit from dropout prevention activities.
231 education actors were trained on M4D, and two compensatory learning pedagogy guides were developed during the 2021-2022 school year.
Children that live in rural areas are often at a higher risk of dropping out of school. Because of the distance from their home to the school, but also the economic disadvantage many of the families face. UNICEF in collaboration with the Tunisian institutions and with the support of donors have been implementing the M4D program. According to USAID “The purpose of this project is to make an investment in human capital with a focus on securing the future of Tunisia by ensuring its children receive an education.” - Paula González Gavilanes
Najwa Zarrouk is a social worker with the regional Ministry of Social Affairs branch in Siliana, who is a key element in the school’s M4D program for students. In the photo she talks with Mohammed Faraj, 16, who is a beneficiary of the M4D program and a student at the Ibn Abi Dhiaf El Kantra Primary School. “I make sure that they are fully comfortable, so they can talk about their challenges. From there, I can connect them to a range of services,” explains Najwa. - Paula González Gavilanes
Najwa and Mohammed walk through the school. He has been identified as being at risk of dropping out, which is why Najwa counsels him. “I was thinking of giving up and leaving school—that there’s no future for me. But Madame Najwa understood me. She convinced me to do professional trainings, and not to waste my future. She gave me solutions. And now I want to be a painter,” he said with a smile. - Paula González Gavilanes
In the playground extracurricular activities are going on. Mawada, 14, participates in a traditional Tunisian dance. After the activity she told UNICEF about the program “Here we have a theater club—we’re going to put on a theater performance today! We have a music club with which we recently did a show. We have a sports club, as well as dancing. These activities get us engaged in social life and help us express all the energy we have.” - Paula González Gavilanes
Islem Dahri, 15, is also a beneficiary from the program. She said that the school’s psychology services were instrumental to not only keeping her in school after she considered dropping out, but keeping her happy and productive. “Before I saw the psychologist I was always alone, depressed, and didn’t want to interact with other kids. But after our work together I started to talk more, to make friends, and to want to spend time with them,” Islem said. - Paula González Gavilanes
In Tunisia the M4D model has enabled 5,893 children (54% girls) and adolescents to benefit from dropout prevention activities. 231 education actors were trained on M4D, and two compensatory learning pedagogy guides were developed during the 2021-2022 school year. - Paula González Gavilanes
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