Morocco’s state-run schools have been found to promote peace and tolerance at the center of their curriculum, according to a first-of-its-kind report by Israeli-British organization IMPACT-se.
The report, conducted in collaboration with the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, assessed 127 textbooks published between 2013 and 2022 across various subjects and found that peace and tolerance were central themes promoted across multiple grades and subjects.
The report highlighted Morocco’s unique embrace of Jews and Judaism in its curriculum, promoting coexistence between Jews and Muslims and emphasizing the Jewish community’s inseparable role in Morocco’s national and cultural fabric.
“We want to thank the Kingdom of Morocco for taking steps to improve its curriculum, spread tolerance and understanding throughout the Middle East, and better prepare the next generation of Moroccans to succeed in the jobs of the future,” said president of the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation Oren Eisner.
What makes Morocco’s curriculum unique is its focus on familiarizing students with the Jewish community and Judaism to a greater extent than other curricula IMPACT-se has reviewed.
Morocco’s Jewish community is frequently and affectionately represented in textbooks, and students learn that Jews are an inseparable part of Morocco’s national and cultural fabric.
The report highlights that through the textbooks, readers are welcomed into the homes of the Jewish community, learning about their customs and the lives of individual Moroccan Jews.
IMPACT-se CEO Marcus Sheff praised the embrace of Jews and Judaism in the Moroccan curriculum, saying, “The affection through which Morocco’s Jewish community and its customs are represented, as well as the lives of individual Moroccan Jews, is heart-warming.”
While emphasizing coexistence between Jews and Muslims, the Holocaust is not part of the curriculum. The textbooks show sympathy for the Palestinian cause and endorse a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
With its focus on peace, tolerance, and diversity, Morocco’s curriculum is setting an example for the Middle East and the world. The next generation of Moroccans will be better equipped to succeed in the jobs of the future, armed with an appreciation for their fellow citizens, regardless of their religion or background.
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