France boosts Morocco's education reform with €134.7 million package

Morocco’s national education system is set for a major boost thanks to a €134.7 million contribution from the French Development Agency (AFD).  

The agreement was signed in Rabat on Monday by Morocco’s Minister in Charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, and representatives of the AFD.  

This significant investment aims to support the implementation of the country’s ambitious 2022-2026 education reform roadmap.

The package consists of a €130 million loan to support public policy budgets and a €4.7 million grant earmarked for technical assistance.

Morocco’s Minister of National Education, Chakib Benmoussa, said that the funding will prioritize improvements in primary schools.  

The goal is to significantly reduce student dropout rates by providing enhanced academic, educational, and social support. This includes a particular focus on improving language skills, especially French, with the support of the AFD.

The €4.7 million grant will be used to bolster the implementation of the reform roadmap and support various pilot programs.  

Pioneering schools, which serve as models for broader educational reform, will be a key focus area starting from the upcoming academic year.  

Benmoussa said that these innovative schools will play a central role in driving positive change within the education system.

French Ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, said that the education reform is crucial within Morocco’s new development model, noting that both Morocco and France prioritize improving educational outcomes.  

Lecourtier further expressed hope that the collaboration will be mutually beneficial, allowing France to learn valuable lessons from Morocco’s reform efforts, particularly in addressing shared challenges like declining math proficiency, student dropout rates, and language learning difficulties.

This partnership between Morocco and the AFDaims to create a more equitable and successful educational environment for Moroccan youth, focusing on improving primary education, providing crucial support services, and fostering innovation through pioneering schools.