Morocco's education reform: Benmoussa outlines accessibility plan

Morocco’s Minister of National Education Chakib Benmoussa presented on Tuesday the broad lines of education programs’ progress to parliament, following an unprecedented agreement with the profession’s unions.

During this session, the Minister said that they are planning to provide a national special needs assimilation program that includes 4700 autistic students, with around 1100 female students.

Benmoussa said: “We put an effort in primary schools, though the need and requirements are many which is why we are expanding the program and will provide the services to more students in need.”

He explained having established a regional committee to provide for families access to solutions that are provided to them

The board noted elements of the consolidation program which pose issues for the process, as was mentioned in a question for the minister, the program does not have training sessions to assimilate the special needs to the instructors and teachers, as well as a lack in council for the autistic children’s guardian or family.

The Minister explained how the program grows every year to expand its reach and service provision.

The Minister stressed that the department requires outside intervention and professional services to accompany the aims of the program and develop solutions that can reach all people in need.

Upon being asked about the University Degree agreement of January 18, where the Ministry promised an favorable resolution and agreed on Saturday on the roadmap regarding an oral and written test every year for the vacant positions in the needed fields for high school teachers.

The minister explained that teachers are eligible to obtain degrees to switch disciplines as long as the documents and requirements stated are met.

The Minister was questioned regarding the solidity of the agreement, where he explained that the agreement comprises many key points, stressing the “exceptional” work done so far for the education system, and the goal of establishing these key points to improve on public school’s quality and success.

The Minister explained that the agreement sees the unity of the Primary program, which gives equal access to rights and obligations to all various parties involved.

The Minister concluded by stressing that time is required to consolidate the new agreement points, as well as the application and revision of results that “could be reached or may need us to go back to the drawing board and improve it.” He said.