King Mohammed VI continues to grant special interest to the upgrading of the sectors of education and vocational training, keystone to sustainable socioeconomic development, jobs creation and building better future for Moroccan youth.
Thursday, the Sovereign launched the 2019-2020 academic year, and chaired the presentation ceremony on the progress made in the reform process of the education and training system to make it fit the new challenges facing the North African Kingdom and its strategic goals.
On this occasion, the Monarch visited the Centre of training of hotel and tourism professions located in Temara (near Rabat) and chaired a ceremony during which minister of national education & vocational training Said Amzazi made a presentation highlighting the satisfactory results achieved in schooling, the fight against poverty, inclusive education program and early guidance system.
The national average of children enrolled in pre-schooling for 2018-2019 reached 55.8 pc, said the minister, affirming that this rate will increase to 67 pc in 2021, with a generalization of pre-school education for children aged 4 and 5 by 2027.
He also cited the reinforcement of the students social back-up & medical coverage programs, the improvement of school catering, school transport service and accommodation for higher education and vocational training students with the opening of four boarding schools (500 beds) and restaurants for vocational training trainees and the awarding of 35,000 scholarships.
The minister said his department has strengthened the community schools and built new-generation of second-chance schools, stressing the importance of the national program of inclusive education for children with disabilities and the establishment of an efficient system of educational, vocational and academic guidance as well as setting mandatory internships for secondary school students to enable them acquire necessary professional skills.
For her part, Head of the Office of vocational training Loubna Tricha made a presentation on the evolution of the “Cities of Trades and Skills Program” (CMC) which seeks to upgrade the vocational training sector, in accordance with the royal vision.
This program aims to set up a new generation of vocational training institutions, promote the employability of young people and boost the competitiveness of businesses.
In total, 12 Cities of Trades and Skills will be created, one for each region of the Kingdom, she said, explaining that these new vocational training cities will offer a modern pedagogical training in 11 sectors and 449 branches.
According to Mrs.Trich, these cities will open doors starting 2021 in the Souss Massa, Lâayoune Sakia El Hamra and eastern region. The following year, 5 more cities will be set up in the regions of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra, Tangier-Tétouan-El Hoceima, Beni-Mellal-Khenifra, Draa-Tafilalet and Guelmim-Oued Noun.
In 2023, this landmark project will be completed with the opening of the cities of trades and skills in the regions of Casablanca-Settat, Fez-Meknes, Marrakech-Safi and Dakhla-Oued Dahab.
After the presentations made by the two officials, the Sovereign launched the “One Million Schoolbags” royal initiative, which benefits this year more than 4,463,000 students.
Initiated by the King in 2008 and renewed every year, the move benefits primary and secondary students, with a priority given to the rural world.