02.06.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:29 pm by nadia
Quatre associations marocaines de micro-crédit ont été classées, par le magazine économique américain “Forbes”, parmi les 50 meilleures institutions au niveau mondial dans le domaine de la micro-finance, a rapporté vendredi l’agence de presse marocaine MAP.
Il s’agit de la Fondation pour le développement local et le partenariat (FONDEP-microcrédit) qui a été classée au 5ème rang mondial, de l’Association Al Amana à la 8ème place, de la Fondation Banque Populaire pour les micro-crédits arrivée à la 12ème place et la Fondation Zakoura à la 27ème place, selon Forbes, qui a évalué les performances de 641 institutions de micro-crédits à travers le monde avant d’établir son classement.
Les critères retenus pour ce classement sont notamment la taille du portefeuille des prêts bruts et l’efficience qui prend en considération les charges de fonctionnement et le coût par bénéficiaire, exprimé en pourcentage du revenu national brut par habitant.
La première place de ce classement est revenue à l’Association “ASA” de Bangladesh, suivie de l’association Bandhan (Inde), de ” Banco do Nordeste” (Brasil) et de la Fondation mondiale de la femme de Bucaramanga (Colombie).
Outre les quatre institutions marocaines, l’Afrique du Nord est représentée dans ce classement par l’association égyptienne, Dakahlya Businessmen’s association for community development ( 28ème) et l’association tunisienne “Enda Inter-arabe” (36ème).
Avec 4,5 milliards de dirhams (1 dollar=8 dirhams) d’encours à fin septembre 2007, le secteur de la microfinance marocain représente plus de 50% des encours de la région de l’Afrique du Nord et du Moyen-Orient, selon la Société financière international, filiale de la Banque mondiale spécialisée dans le secteur privé.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/maroc/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=XIN80028quatrsebrof0
MAROC - 18 janvier 2008 - XINHUA
Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:27 pm by nadia
| http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/maroc/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=XIN80028quatrsebrof0 MAROC - 18 janvier 2008 - XINHUA |
| Quatre associations marocaines de micro-crédit ont été classées, par le magazine économique américain “Forbes”, parmi les 50 meilleures institutions au niveau mondial dans le domaine de la micro-finance, a rapporté vendredi l’agence de presse marocaine MAP.
Il s’agit de la Fondation pour le développement local et le partenariat (FONDEP-microcrédit) qui a été classée au 5ème rang mondial, de l’Association Al Amana à la 8ème place, de la Fondation Banque Populaire pour les micro-crédits arrivée à la 12ème place et la Fondation Zakoura à la 27ème place, selon Forbes, qui a évalué les performances de 641 institutions de micro-crédits à travers le monde avant d’établir son classement.
Les critères retenus pour ce classement sont notamment la taille du portefeuille des prêts bruts et l’efficience qui prend en considération les charges de fonctionnement et le coût par bénéficiaire, exprimé en pourcentage du revenu national brut par habitant.
La première place de ce classement est revenue à l’Association “ASA” de Bangladesh, suivie de l’association Bandhan (Inde), de ” Banco do Nordeste” (Brasil) et de la Fondation mondiale de la femme de Bucaramanga (Colombie).
Outre les quatre institutions marocaines, l’Afrique du Nord est représentée dans ce classement par l’association égyptienne, Dakahlya Businessmen’s association for community development ( 28ème) et l’association tunisienne “Enda Inter-arabe” (36ème).
Avec 4,5 milliards de dirhams (1 dollar=8 dirhams) d’encours à fin septembre 2007, le secteur de la microfinance marocain représente plus de 50% des encours de la région de l’Afrique du Nord et du Moyen-Orient, selon la Société financière international, filiale de la Banque mondiale spécialisée dans le secteur privé. |
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01.10.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:13 pm by nadia
SM le Roi Mohammed VI s’est enquis, lundi à Ouarzazate, de plusieurs projets sociaux dans la province qui s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’Initiative Nationale pour le Développement Humain (INDH) et a inauguré, par la même occasion, un Centre pour enfants abandonnés.
La province d’Ouarzazate a bénéficié de plus de 107 millions dh dans le cadre de l’INDH (6,9 millions dh en 2005, 58,6 millions dh en 2006 et plus de 42 millions dh en 2007).
Ces fonds ont permis de financer 415 projets concernant le programme transversal de l’Initiative (36 pc), le programme de lutte contre la précarité et l’exclusion (15 pc) et celui de lutte contre la pauvreté dans le monde rural (49 pc).
Ces projets portent essentiellement sur la construction de centres d’animation culturelle, sociale et sportive, le renforcement de la bonne gouvernance, le soutien des Activités Génératrices de Revenus et l’aide des populations à accéder aux services de base.
Le programme de lutte contre la pauvreté dans le monde rural a bénéficié à 170.000 personnes au niveau de 14 communes, où le taux de pauvreté dépasse les 30 pc). Ce nombre représente 34 pc des habitants de la province et 45 pc de sa population rurale.
Parmi les projets sociaux réalisés à Ouarzazate dans le cadre du programme de lutte contre l’exclusion en milieu urbain, dont s’est enquis SM le Roi, figure le projet de construction d’un Centre d’accueil baptisé “Dar Achifaâ” qui vise à faciliter l’accès des patients aux soins. Le projet, qui offre la possibilité aux familles de rester proches des leurs, a nécessité un budget global de 1,6 million dh. D’une capacité d’accueil de 16 lits, ce centre a été réalisé dans le cadre d’un partenariat entre le conseil de la province, le conseil municipal, l’assemblée provinciale du tourisme et l’association “Al Mansour Addahbi” pour le soutien des hôpitaux de Ouarzazate et Zagora.
Le Souverain a également donné le coup d’envoi des travaux du projet d’extension du centre d’hémodialyse de Ouarzazate, domicilié à l’hôpital provincial Sidi Hssaine Bennasser. Ce projet permettra d’améliorer la capacité d’accueil du centre où sont pris en charge 36 patients de manière permanente par deux médecins, quatre infirmiers et deux techniciens. Le centre vise également à encourager la greffe de reins et à inciter le secteur privé à créer des structures similaires.
SM le Roi a également procédé à l’inauguration d’un centre d’accueil en faveur des enfants abandonnés, réalisé par l’association “”Basma”" au sein de l’hôpital Sidi Hssaine pour un montant de l’ordre de 744.000 dh.
Le centre qui a vu le jour grâce à un partenariat entre l’association “Basma”, l’assemblée provinciale et l’INDH ainsi que les bienfaiteurs, vise à prendre en charge les enfants abandonnés, à mettre en place un climat favorable à leur épanouissement et à encourager les familles désirant prendre en charge des pensionnaires de cette structure, dans le cadre du régime de la “kafala”.
Il a été procédé également à cette occasion à la remise de trois ambulances aux communes rurales d’Aït Lfarsi, Imider et Tilmi, de fauteuils roulants et de lunettes médicales aux personnes handicapées et aux élèves issus de familles nécessiteuses.
SM le Roi s’est également enquis du projet de construction et d’équipement de salles d’études dans quatre écoles de la ville de Ouarzazate au profit de 48 élèves aux besoins spécifiques, un projet doté d’un budget global de 1,05 million dh et d’un autre relatif à la création d’une unité de formation dans le secteur du tourisme écologique, initié dans la commune rurale de Tarmigt (Ouarzazate) pour un coût global de 1,6 million dh.
A son arrivée, SM le Roi avait passé en revue un détachement de la garde royale qui rendait les honneurs avant d’être salué par MM. Chakib Benmoussa, ministre de l’intérieur, Aziz Akhnouche, ministre de l’agriculture et des pêches maritimes, président du conseil de la région Souss-Massa-Draâ, Ahmed Akhchichen, ministre de l’éducation nationale, de l’enseignement supérieur, de la formation des cadres et de la recherche scientifique et Mmes Yasmina Baddou, ministre de la santé, et Nezha Skalli, ministre du développement humain, de la famille et de la solidarité.
SM le Roi a également été salué par le wali de la région Souss-Massa-draâ, le gouverneur de la province de Ouarzazate, le président du conseil municipal, le président de l’assemblée provinciale, le délégué provincial de la santé, le président de la chambre d’artisanat, le président de la chambre du commerce, de l’industrie et des services, les présidents de plusieurs associations locales et par d’autres personnalités.
Permalink
12.04.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:06 pm by nadia
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Morocco funds to purchase IT bus
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| Sunday December 02 2007 |
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| “I see this as a vote of confidence in our ongoing efforts to bring Information Computer Technology (ICT) to all our schools,” Minister with responsibility for the implementation of the government’s ICT policy, Dr. Edmond Mansoor, noted.
“And this would not be possible without the persistent efforts of our UN Ambassador Dr. John W. Ashe, who negotiated the funding for this bus with his counterpart from Morocco.
Ambassador Ashe also secured funding for another bus we purchased a few months ago from the government of Libya,” he added.
Through its IT Mobile Classroom Project, the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications has provided the opportunity for school children in Antigua and Barbuda to gain access to modern computer technology, by conducting computer classes from the confines of fully-equipped buses.
The new IT classroom brings the current fleet to four.
http://www.antiguasun.com/paper/?as=view&sun=321622089312022007&an=414545079412022007&ac=Local |
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Posted in Uncategorized at 3:39 pm by nadia
The Moroccan lower chamber (house of representatives comprising 235 members) on Saturday night approved the 2008 state budget after about thirty amendments were made to a document tabled by the Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi, nominated last October.
The budget, which will be later on submitted for the approval of the second chamber (upper chamber comprising 270 members), is eying a 6.8% growth rate and 2.4% budget deficit on the GDP, representing US$50 billion.
The bulk of the budget is dedicated to the social sector that absorbed over 50% of it for next year’s expenditure.
The government pledged to maintain inflation at 2%, to strengthen the competitiveness of the Moroccan economy and support basic production through a compensation fund, for which it earmarked over 20 billion dirham (about US$2.5 billion) as opposed to 15 billion dirham for 2007.
The government hopes to give a boost to social housing and complete the « ville sans bidonvilles » (city without slums) programme by 2010.
Therefore, a new product will be launched in 2008, consisting of entirely tax-free housing for the most underprivileged households.
Education (with 9.7% budget increase), and regional development are the other sectors considered as priorities, sources disclosed.
Public investments for 2008 are estimated at 36 billion dirham (about US$4.5 billion), representing 39% increase compared to the 2007 budget.
YB/ib/ovh/daj/APA 03-12-2007
© APA News
Permalink
11.30.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:51 pm by nadia
23/11/2007
An educational plan in central Morocco will teach young people about gender equality and women’s rights.
By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 23/11/07
A project to spread a culture of gender equality and combat violence against women began Tuesday (November 20th) in the central Morocco region of Fez-Boulmane. As part of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights, the EU-funded program will offer law, civic education and women’s rights workshops to some 4,620 middle school and high school students and 3,900 women in poor areas.
President of the Chourouk Association for Social Development, Lahcen Afkir, told Magharebia, “We have chosen young people who study in two middle schools located in the same area where our association headquarters is based, and also from two other middle schools located in villages on the outskirts of the city, where we’ve been operating since 2001. As for the women, they have been selected from some of the neighbourhoods where we’ve run programs to combat illiteracy.”
“We have created a methodology and identified our vision,” he added. “We have also drawn up an action plan extending to 2012 because we want to be more accurate and professional.”
The Chourouk Centre has been operating in the Fez region for seven years to enhance the status of women and young people. The centre started with combating illiteracy, Akfir explained, then moved on to legal and civic education.
“Our aspiration is to combat violence against women in a new way, not to wait until violence has taken place. We do this by spreading a culture of gender equality and promoting women’s rights. We have chosen the category of young people on purpose because we wanted to deal with the roots of the problem. We hope to eradicate the problem once and for all by educating young people to respect women from an early age.”
Akfir’s group also created a network of associations to shed light on the new family law and strengthen co-ordinated efforts in the Fez region. The centre receives contributions from the British embassy in Rabat and Oxfam-Québec, a Canadian non-governmental organisation working in the field of sustainable development.
The Cherouk Association contributes about 10.32% of funding for the 109,843-euro education project.
“The preparations for the project, which will extend over a three-year period, started last September by forming the project team, preparing workshops and attracting boosters,” Afkir added, saying that through a partnership with the Ministry of National Education, the group will be allowed to use school halls from 6:00 to 8:00 PM daily.
Fatiha Hassouni of the EC Mission in Rabat commented, “Since 2004, the EU has been funding several projects aimed at raising awareness about women’s rights and equal opportunities for women in political fields.”
“Moreover, gender equality is basically a part of human rights and represents a social justice issue.”
Permalink
11.21.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:47 pm by nadia
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- Donation for new school project to commemorate Jeep driving event in Morocco
- Brand new kindergarten constructed for remote village community
- Journalists from approximately 30 countries provide additional educational materials for school children
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| Imi Nizrane, Morocco, Nov 20, 2007 - As part of the international media driving program to mark the introduction of the new Jeep Cherokee 4×4, an important new educational project in Morocco has been completed.
In keeping with an established practice of leaving a charitable legacy behind at locations where it holds driving events, Jeep and some of its supplier companies have funded the construction of a new kindergarten in the village of Imi Nizrane, near Erfoud.
The new building, which is to be used by children up to six years old, was completed as over 300 journalists took part in a driving test program on roads, off-road trails and sand dunes in an area close to Imi Nizrane, a village with a population of 150.
“By way of saying thank you to the community for hosting our driving event, we wanted to give something back of lasting value that would benefit the children and the community in the future,” said Mike Manley, Executive Vice President - International Sales, Marketing and Business Development.
“While there is already a school for older children in Imi Nizrane, there is no educational facility for younger children and it was clear that there was a need for one in the village.”
“We feel this is an immediate and tangible way for us to show our gratitude to the community for allowing us to host such an important event in the area and to leave something lasting behind that will be in place long after our Jeep event is over,” he added.
Journalists attending the driving event in Morocco made donations of their own by bringing school supplies, such as pens, crayons and paper, from their own countries and donating them to the new school project.
“We have a primary school in our village but when the children first arrive here, we have problems because they have never had any pre-school education,” said Dawdi Nabil, a teacher in Imi Nizrane. “This new kindergarten is so important to our village because it will help the young children in our community take their first steps towards their education.”
The Jeep brand has previously supported local community projects to mark the brand’s annual Euro Camp Jeep event, in countries such as Italy, France, Austria and Croatia and also on the occasion of the media drive of the previous version of the Jeep Cherokee in Botswana. |
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| http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=7498&mid=1 |
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Permalink
11.02.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:05 pm by nadia
RABAT, Morocco, Nov 01, 2007 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) — INTC | charts | news | PowerRating — In a country known for mesmerizing mystique and a multicultural history that dates back to at least 8,000 B.C., Intel Corporation is using computers and Internet technology to help bring Moroccos 33 million people into a modern digital age ripe with opportunity.”Morocco is at a crossroads in its economic development,” said Intel Chairman Craig Barrett, who unveiled several projects aimed at extending digital inclusion to all Moroccans during his first visit to the North African nation. “Technology can help accelerate the countrys economic prospects, and Intel is collaborating with Moroccos government and its people to help enable this transition.”
Barretts two days in Morocco conclude the Africa portion of a worldwide “Expanding Whats Possible” tour focused on digital accessibility and education. Intels announcements include a joint project with the Department of Telecommunications and Information Technology (D.E.P.T.I.) to develop public Internet access centers, and with the Ministry of Education to train thousands of teachers and donate computers to Moroccan schools.
Earlier this week, in his role as chairman of the United Nations Global Alliance for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Development, Barrett took part in the Connect Africa Summit in Rwanda to explore ways to bring the benefits of technology to people to the African continent.
Helping to Drive Access to Education Barrett also visited a classroom at one of two rural Moroccan schools benefiting from new computers and broadband Internet access.
“It was an extraordinary thing like we were connected to the exterior world,” said Asmae Wahabi, a French teacher at Saad Ibn Abi Al Ouakass school in Ain Aouda, where Intel installed 250 Intel-powered Classmate PCs and Internet connectivity and trained teachers on the effective use of technology to teach children. “The students, and especially the students that are from underprivileged families, had this occasion to access knowledge, so now nothing is holding them from pursuing progress to succeed. It is going to give them a chance for a better future.”
The computers are part of an agreement signed today with Moroccos Ministry of Education to donate 1,000 Intel-powered Classmate PCs for primary schools over the next few years. An affordable, full-featured laptop, the Classmate PC supports project-based learning by enabling teachers to share information and student work with the entire class. Intel and Moroccos Ministry of ICT also installed a new WiMAX network at Saad Ibn Abi Al Ouakass School. The long-range wireless technology is a cost-effective way to deliver high-speed Internet access to rural communities.
Barrett, a former university professor, also toured the Institut National Des Postes et Telecommunication, an engineering university in Rabat where Intel implemented a computer lab designed around multi-core processor technology.
The lab will enable hands-on training in the latest computing technologies to better prepare university students for entering the workforce.
Intel has trained 4,500 teachers in Morocco and aims to train 25, 000 by the end of next year through the Intel Teach program, which focuses on integrating technology in the curriculum to help teachers better educate children. The efforts coincide with the goals of the Ministry of Educations program called GENIE which is the French word for genius.
Intel also plans to launch an online version of the Intel Teach program in Morocco next year.
Using Technology as a Tool to Engage and Connect People Working with Moroccos new government, Intel launched an initiative today in Ain Aouda, a rural village about 30 km south of Rabat, dedicated to providing computers and Internet access for all Moroccans. It focuses on extending digital inclusion to underprivileged areas and creating new opportunities in a country where an estimated 46 percent of the population cant read and write. Intel and D.E.P.T.I. have started the initiative called Al Morchid (in English, “the advisor”) with a pilot of four shared-access centers.
The centers, patterned after Internet cafes, are models for the governments plan to build a national network of Al Morchid “e-spaces” where all Moroccans can easily take advantage of vital ICT resources, including high-speed Internet access, technology training and access to e-government services.
Morocco is one of a few countries in Africa to offer government services entirely online such as custom clearance and tax declarations.
Other participants in the Al Morchid initiative include Meditel, the local telecom operator providing the Internet connectivity; Post Maroc, a state-owned mail service provider that will offer its services through the centers; and Nortis, a telecom company that will be involved on an ongoing basis.
“This initiative will help us bridge the digital divide and allow low-income citizens to access e-government services while creating new opportunities for young entrepreneurs to launch their own businesses and create new jobs,” said Taieb Debbagh, general secretary of D.E.P.T.I.
Through its World Ahead Program, Intel strives to improve education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and government services in developing countries worldwide by accelerating access to computers, connectivity and localized Internet content. Additional information is available at www.intel.com/changingtheworld and www.intel.com/intel/worldahead.
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.
Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/773576/
Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:04 pm by nadia
RABAT, Morocco, Nov 01, 2007 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) — INTC | charts | news | PowerRating — In a country known for mesmerizing mystique and a multicultural history that dates back to at least 8,000 B.C., Intel Corporation is using computers and Internet technology to help bring Moroccos 33 million people into a modern digital age ripe with opportunity.”Morocco is at a crossroads in its economic development,” said Intel Chairman Craig Barrett, who unveiled several projects aimed at extending digital inclusion to all Moroccans during his first visit to the North African nation. “Technology can help accelerate the countrys economic prospects, and Intel is collaborating with Moroccos government and its people to help enable this transition.”
Barretts two days in Morocco conclude the Africa portion of a worldwide “Expanding Whats Possible” tour focused on digital accessibility and education. Intels announcements include a joint project with the Department of Telecommunications and Information Technology (D.E.P.T.I.) to develop public Internet access centers, and with the Ministry of Education to train thousands of teachers and donate computers to Moroccan schools.
Earlier this week, in his role as chairman of the United Nations Global Alliance for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Development, Barrett took part in the Connect Africa Summit in Rwanda to explore ways to bring the benefits of technology to people to the African continent.
Helping to Drive Access to Education Barrett also visited a classroom at one of two rural Moroccan schools benefiting from new computers and broadband Internet access.
“It was an extraordinary thing like we were connected to the exterior world,” said Asmae Wahabi, a French teacher at Saad Ibn Abi Al Ouakass school in Ain Aouda, where Intel installed 250 Intel-powered Classmate PCs and Internet connectivity and trained teachers on the effective use of technology to teach children. “The students, and especially the students that are from underprivileged families, had this occasion to access knowledge, so now nothing is holding them from pursuing progress to succeed. It is going to give them a chance for a better future.”
The computers are part of an agreement signed today with Moroccos Ministry of Education to donate 1,000 Intel-powered Classmate PCs for primary schools over the next few years. An affordable, full-featured laptop, the Classmate PC supports project-based learning by enabling teachers to share information and student work with the entire class. Intel and Moroccos Ministry of ICT also installed a new WiMAX network at Saad Ibn Abi Al Ouakass School. The long-range wireless technology is a cost-effective way to deliver high-speed Internet access to rural communities.
Barrett, a former university professor, also toured the Institut National Des Postes et Telecommunication, an engineering university in Rabat where Intel implemented a computer lab designed around multi-core processor technology.
The lab will enable hands-on training in the latest computing technologies to better prepare university students for entering the workforce.
Intel has trained 4,500 teachers in Morocco and aims to train 25, 000 by the end of next year through the Intel Teach program, which focuses on integrating technology in the curriculum to help teachers better educate children. The efforts coincide with the goals of the Ministry of Educations program called GENIE which is the French word for genius.
Intel also plans to launch an online version of the Intel Teach program in Morocco next year.
Using Technology as a Tool to Engage and Connect People Working with Moroccos new government, Intel launched an initiative today in Ain Aouda, a rural village about 30 km south of Rabat, dedicated to providing computers and Internet access for all Moroccans. It focuses on extending digital inclusion to underprivileged areas and creating new opportunities in a country where an estimated 46 percent of the population cant read and write. Intel and D.E.P.T.I. have started the initiative called Al Morchid (in English, “the advisor”) with a pilot of four shared-access centers.
The centers, patterned after Internet cafes, are models for the governments plan to build a national network of Al Morchid “e-spaces” where all Moroccans can easily take advantage of vital ICT resources, including high-speed Internet access, technology training and access to e-government services.
Morocco is one of a few countries in Africa to offer government services entirely online such as custom clearance and tax declarations.
Other participants in the Al Morchid initiative include Meditel, the local telecom operator providing the Internet connectivity; Post Maroc, a state-owned mail service provider that will offer its services through the centers; and Nortis, a telecom company that will be involved on an ongoing basis.
“This initiative will help us bridge the digital divide and allow low-income citizens to access e-government services while creating new opportunities for young entrepreneurs to launch their own businesses and create new jobs,” said Taieb Debbagh, general secretary of D.E.P.T.I.
Through its World Ahead Program, Intel strives to improve education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and government services in developing countries worldwide by accelerating access to computers, connectivity and localized Internet content. Additional information is available at www.intel.com/changingtheworld and www.intel.com/intel/worldahead.
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.
Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/773576/
Permalink
10.01.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:10 pm by nadia
27/05/2007
The Moroccan government has published the findings of the first comprehensive survey conducted on literacy in the country. Illiteracy levels have dropped from 43% in 2004 to 38.45% in 2006. El Habib Nadir tells Magharebia about the programme responsible for the progress.
Interview by Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 27/05/2007
Morocco released the results of its first nationwide survey on literacy recently, uncovering some positive results. Data indicate illiteracy levels have dropped from 43% in 2004 to 38.45% in 2006, an improvement that could boost Morocco’s placement in international rankings. El Habib Nadir is Director of the responsible agency, the National Campaign Against Illiteracy, a bureau under the Secretary of State for Literacy and Informal Education.
Magharebia: You recently (April 26th) carried out a significant national survey on literacy in Morocco. What makes it significant?
El Habib Nadir: The study is significant because it is the first of its kind. This is the first time that Morocco has carried out such an exhaustive survey on the illiteracy phenomenon in Morocco, as well as on school enrolment and participation.
The study had multiple objectives: to provide reliable data on the state of illiteracy, of non-schooling and reduced schooling; to identify the principal factors underpinning these phenomena; to create a profile and identify the needs of target groups in the fields of illiteracy and non-formal education; and finally, to gain insight into the negative impact on both adults and children of a lack of access to education by examining attitudes and behaviour.
The ultimate aim is to apply knowledge of the reality of the situation by setting up programmes and action plans which focus on our target groups.
Magharebia: What are the most salient findings of the survey?
Nadir: Several statistics have proved significant. The drop in the illiteracy rate in the population aged 10 years and older from 43% in 2004 to 38.45% in 2006 marks a decrease of 4.5% over two years. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the government’s strategy and approach. This outcome is due in part to the very widespread increase in the number of people receiving assistance from literacy programmes these past few years. To illustrate this point, the number of beneficiaries over the last 4 years (2002 to 2006) was more than 2 million, which is the same number of people who received support during the 20 years preceding 2002 (1981 to 2001)… the rate of change has greatly improved.
Another key statistic concerns non-schooling: today only 15% of children between 9 and 14 years old are entirely outside the school system. This situation has also been improved by government efforts to make schooling more generally available.
The drop in illiteracy rates has been more noticeable in women than in men.
[Also] notable are the illiteracy rates amongst workers and employees in certain fields of activity: 60% in agriculture, 30% in the trades, 27% in the service industry and 22% in public administration and the local community sector.
Magharebia: How does the government intend to eradicate illiteracy in light of the survey results?
Nadir: Bearing in mind these encouraging results, which show our present strategy and approach to be effective, current efforts should be pursued to consolidate the gains indicated and to increase the pace of concrete change. We must target specific populations and zones for intervention. One general direction suggested by the survey is that we need to carry out research in order to secure help from as great a number of partners as possible. The National Initiative for Human Development (NIHD, launched by the king in 2005) would also be an appropriate place to look for support in the development of an effective and integrated action plan.
Magharebia: What schemes are underway to combat these issues?
Nadir: Currently, we are working with 4 action plans in the field: a general programme, managed by staff working in national education; a public services programme, managed by various Ministries (Islamic Affairs, National Development, Fisheries, Justice, Agriculture, Youth); a civil society programme, run in partnership with NGOs; and a private enterprise programme targeting employees within that sector.
At present, more than 670,000 beneficiaries are enrolled in the various programmes across the country.
For more information you can consult our official website: www.alpha.gov.ma.
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