School Year Number of Pupils Number of Schools Number of Teachers 1996-1997 1441143 4388 59623 (namely one Teacher for 24 pupils) 2001-2002 1314836 4476 59884 (namely one Teacher for 22 pupils) 2005-2006 1120425 4.492 58281 (namely one Teacher for 19 pupils) 377. Out of a total of 4,492 schools, 2,725 are located in the rural areas. The town/countryside parity is a reality in Tunisia today. 378. The validation of the principle of equal opportunities also takes shape through the setting up of a national programme of assistance to educational institutions which register results below the national average. Thus, 696 primary schools and 104 colleges had been considered as «Educational Priority Schools» (EPE) and required to be treated in accordance with the principle of « positive discrimination ». Extra resources are granted to these « EPEs » to enable them reduce the gaps and catch up on their backwardness. These resources, both human and material are aimed at improving the educational output of these institutions and their working conditions. 379. The educational integration of children with special needs, whose right to education is guaranteed by law (Article 4), is done in two ways: -Total integration which allows the children with « minor » disabilities to pursue their studies in ordinary classes in all the years of schooling; -Partial integration which consists in receiving certain mentally disabled and hard of hearing children in specific classes within the ordinary institutions. Having said that, the bulk of the education of children with special needs is currently carried out in specialized centres which are directly under the State or under specialized organizations which receive subventions from the State and are supported by the Ministry of Education and Training which provides them with Teachers and specialized Educators. 380. Furthermore, special attention had been given to disabled children by allowing them to pursue their education under normal conditions within specialized institutions. In this regard, orientation law n° 2005-83 of 15th August 2005, relative to the promotion and protection of disabled persons had been promulgated to guarantee equal opportunties between disabled persons and the other people as well as their promotion and protection against all forms of discrimination. Article 24 of this law stipulates that « the State endeavours to guarantee proper conditions allowing disabled children who are incapable of following an education and training within the ordinary system, to pursue appropriate education, specialized education and professional rehabilitation appropriate for their specific needs ». 81