Libya is looking to tap Tunisia’s experience in education digitalisation as it explores reforms aimed at modernising its schools and expanding access to distance learning, the two countries said after recent high-level talks.
Libyan officials said a delegation visit to Tunisia this month laid the groundwork for a cooperation agreement focused on digitising Libya’s education system, a sector weakened by years of political instability, infrastructure gaps and uneven access to learning resources.
According to an official statement issued on Sunday, the proposed cooperation would draw on Tunisia’s technical expertise to help Libya connect schools to digital networks, expand online education and modernise teaching tools.
Libyan authorities are seeking to roll out a broader digital transformation programme that would link schools and healthcare facilities nationwide. The initiative is being led by the state-owned telecommunications company and is intended to improve service delivery while laying the foundation for wider use of digital platforms in public services.
As part of the effort, the government has formed a committee tasked with upgrading the education system through the expansion of distance learning and the digitisation of school curricula. Officials say the reforms are designed to improve learning outcomes, reduce regional disparities and make education more resilient in the face of disruptions.
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Tunisia, often cited as a regional frontrunner in education digitalisation, has made rapid progress in recent years. In November 2024, it completed internet connectivity for around 3,300 schools nationwide, significantly expanding access to online learning tools.
In January this year, Tunisian authorities launched the “School of the Future of Tunisia” platform, a national digital portal offering students and teachers access to educational content, administrative services and official updates from the education ministry.
Libyan policymakers see Tunisia’s experience as a practical model that could be adapted to local conditions. The two sides have agreed to hold coordination meetings with departments within Tunisia’s education ministry to define priority areas and draft a formal cooperation agreement between their respective ministries.
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Analysts say such cooperation could help Libya address long-standing weaknesses in its education system. Oxford Business Group said greater use of education technology could narrow Libya’s gap in learning outcomes and digital literacy compared with international benchmarks.
The firm noted that digital tools could be particularly effective in improving primary-level science education, as well as English and social sciences at the secondary level. Teacher-focused technologies, it said, could help educators better align lessons with curriculum requirements and track student progress.
Oxford Business Group added that regional cooperation and the sharing of best practices could play a key role in accelerating reforms, especially in countries facing capacity constraints.
Despite the potential benefits, significant obstacles remain. Infrastructure shortfalls continue to limit the reach of digital education in Libya, particularly outside major cities. Internet access is unreliable in many rural areas, while schools often lack sufficient digital equipment and locally relevant online content.
There are also gaps in digital skills among teachers and administrators, raising concerns about the effective use of new technologies even where infrastructure is in place.
Progress will depend heavily on sustained funding, strong coordination between institutions and a stable political environment, analysts say. Without these conditions, nationwide rollout of digital education initiatives could prove difficult.
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For now, cooperation between Libya and Tunisia remains at an early stage. Officials on both sides say the focus is on technical exchanges, planning and capacity-building, with a view to formalising collaboration in the coming months.
If successful, the partnership could mark an important step in Libya’s efforts to modernise its education system and reduce learning inequalities, while reinforcing Tunisia’s role as a regional hub for education digitalisation expertise.
