In 2013, there were 3 767 pre-school institutions in Tunisia, including both nursery and Kouttab schools (Ministere des Affaires de la Femme et de la Famille, 2014) - up from 2 422 in 2004 (Observatoire de l’Enfance, 2010). In addition, five-year olds can attend an anneepreparatoire [preparatory year], which is under the responsibility of the Ministere de I ’Education [Ministry of Education] and is provided either in public primary schools, or in private/semi-private institutions. While this preparatory year is considered part of the basic education cycle, it is neither compulsory, nor is free access guaranteed to all (Education Act of 23 July 2002).37 The proportion of children (aged 3-5) in pre-school education is relatively low, at 44.3% compared to 76.9% on average across the OECD (Figure 3.8).