Tunis: A small Cabinet meeting held Friday at the Government Palace in the Kasbah, chaired by Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, reviewed preparations for the 2026-2027 school, university and vocational training year, with a focus on ensuring that all relevant ministries are fully prepared for a smooth and successful start. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, ministers presented the measures being taken ahead of the new academic year, including the allocation of an additional 67 million dinars to the social assistance program to support low-income and disadvantaged families. Financial and in-kind assistance will be provided to help students obtain essential school supplies, while free transportation will also be made available to eligible beneficiaries. The government will also implement prevention and social integration programs, as well as a lifelong learning program aimed at promoting social education and school integration. Social protection centers will be established to support students who h ave dropped out of school. The preparations also include measures to ease classroom overcrowding, improve student distribution, expand and upgrade educational facilities, as well as strengthen school and university transportation. Authorities will improve travel schedules and transport capacity, enhance road safety, and reinforce security around educational institutions and along connecting roads. The meeting also examined the digitization of educational services, particularly the 'School Life Information System' and online registration. Efforts will continue to develop and expand the system, with a view to improving the governance of educational institutions and strengthening cultural, youth and sports activities, while fostering closer links between schools and cultural, youth and sports facilities. The government will also strengthen school health services, including medical examinations, vaccination, first aid, healthcare and psychological support, as well as awareness and prevention programs. Particul ar attention will be given to inclusive education, preventing violence and other emerging issues in schools, and supporting the integration of students with disabilities and those experiencing learning difficulties or disorders. Vocational training will also be further integrated into the national education and training system and strengthened as a genuine pathway to employment, through improvements in training quality, closer alignment between specialties and labor-market needs, expanded practical internships and enhanced skills development. Preparations will also be accelerated for student accommodation, catering and transportation, alongside efforts to improve school and university services. The government will seek to create a university environment that promotes students' personal development and creativity, ensure that school and university grants and social assistance reach eligible beneficiaries, and strengthen cultural, scientific and sports activities and the infrastructure supporting them. The m easures further provide for enhanced health monitoring and psychological support for students and trainees, as well as the timely availability of school textbooks and subsidized exercise books in sufficient quantities. Authorities will improve distribution channels and step up efforts to combat speculation and hoarding, while taking families' purchasing power into consideration. The ministers of Education; Higher Education and Scientific Research; Interior; Health; Transport; Social Affairs; Employment and Vocational Training; Communication Technologies; Public Works and Housing; Religious Affairs; Trade and Export Development; and Family, Women, Children and the Elderly presented updates on preparations within their respective areas of responsibility. Opening the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that ensuring a successful start to the new academic year requires concerted efforts and close coordination among all stakeholders at the central, regional and local levels. She called for a proactive approach to addressing potential difficulties and ensuring that all institutions are fully prepared, with the aim of improving the quality of education, strengthening governance and providing suitable conditions for students, trainees and educational staff. She stressed the need to complete preparations for educational facilities, particularly in terms of infrastructure and reliable access to drinking water, while ensuring the availability of essential school supplies. She also called for maintaining the prices and quality of subsidized textbooks and exercise books, ensuring regular supplies and timely distribution, and securing school and university transportation, accommodation and catering. The Prime Minister further called for stronger health services, enhanced security and environmental protection around educational institutions, and continuous attention to cleanliness and the prompt resolution of any shortcomings. She also urged greater attention to preschool education, describing it as the first link in the educational process. This includes ensuring equal access to preschool education and improving reception and care conditions for children, while strengthening the integration of preschool education with the broader education system. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that ensuring a successful school, university and vocational training year is a state priority as Tunisia works to establish an integrated national education and training system. She described the start of the academic year as an important stage in the deep reform of the education system and the integration of its different levels, aimed at restoring education and training to their role as key drivers of human and social development. She also highlighted the role of the Higher Council for Education and Teaching as a key pillar for ensuring coherence and integration across the education system. Curricula and educational programs will be further developed in accordance with a national vision that preserves Tunisia's nat ional identity while keeping pace with scientific and technological advances, in line with the President of the Republic's vision for education reform.