King Mohammed VI has reiterated his vision for a new educational system, which promotes learner’s interaction, develops his capabilities and hones his critical thinking skills in a bid to provide students with opportunities for creativity and innovation.
In a message addressed to participants in the 33rd International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement, which opened Tuesday in Marrakesh, the Monarch said education is the main instrument for the development of human resources. It turns people into powerful levers that contribute effectively to creating wealth, enhancing awareness and promoting innovative, creative thinking.
Education also “forms citizens who are keen to exercise their rights and discharge their duties in all good conscience – citizens who uphold universal values, who believe in the unity of humankind as much as in their rich yet varied identity, and who are committed to coexisting with others while being immune to extremism and reclusiveness”, underlined the Sovereign in his message read out by minister of education & vocational training Saaïd Amzazi
“School effectiveness can also be measured by the ability to guarantee education and care during early childhood, and to ensure school enrolment for children from all segments of society, in keeping with the principles of equal opportunities, social justice and regional equity”, stressed the King.
This is particularly true for rural areas and deprived regions, for girls in villages and hamlets, for vulnerable children and for youngsters in difficult situations, added the royal message, affirming that children of migrants and refugees are also entitled to an education that responds to their basic needs in terms of upbringing and integration.
The King also said that learners must be given the chance to acquire skills and learn foreign languages in order to open up to the world, noting that young people are trained in Morocco to be good citizens, integrate youths into the development process, open up to other cultures and be fully involved in the knowledge and communication-based world.
To ensure sound, practical implementation of this education project, “Morocco has sought to include these guiding principles in an integrated framework law that governs the various stages and policies of the education and scientific research system”, explained the Monarch.
“On many occasions, I have stressed the special importance I attach to the promotion of education, given my firm belief in the decisive role it plays as a catalyst for the achievement of sustainable development in the various social, economic, cultural and environmental sectors”, went on to say the King in his message.
The effectiveness of schools should be essentially measured to what extent they respond to the basic needs and concerns of young people, who are the driving force in society, said the Monarch.
“Young people should therefore be provided with the knowledge, competencies, skills, values, languages and culture that help them develop their personality, enhance their independence, improve their qualifications, achieve self-fulfillment, and increase their chances for social and professional integration”, affirmed the King, underlining that this is something he “has always seen as a right, and not a privilege”.
Morocco is the first Arab and African country to host the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement. The event gathers education practitioners throughout the world to strengthen North-South and South-South cooperation with respect to developing schools and education systems.
This conference is an opportunity for African countries to discuss ways of enhancing the quality of education and training, and to consider the best avenues for fulfilling the main expectations of education systems in developing countries. The latter are seeking to develop their education systems to match those of developed countries.