EU Invests €102.5 Million to Build 150 Rural Schools in Morocco

This is a loan of €102.5 million to complement a European Union budget envelope containing €23.30 million divided into an investment grant of €14 million and technical assistance of €9.3 million to support the implementation of the project. In addition, a contribution from the general state budget of approximately €100 million will complete the financing plan for the program, according to a press release from the Ministry of Economy.

The program is part of the reform of the education sector in Morocco 2015-2030, which has set objectives to strengthen equity in access to education throughout the country, with a focus on the inclusion of girls and equal opportunities.

The investment provides for the construction of modern and energy-efficient school infrastructure and equipment. In addition, training teachers and principals of community schools to improve the quality of learning and school management.

On this occasion, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, stressed that the financing "comes in a global context marked by the launch of a new development model, which places education and human capital at the center.

"I am delighted to announce this ambitious program dedicated to rural education in Morocco, as it fits perfectly with Morocco’s strategy to promote the inclusion of young Moroccan schools in rural areas, especially for girls, and to enable better integration of the younger generations into society," said Flavia Palanza, Director of Operations at the EIB.

For his part, Chakib Benmoussa, Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, stated that the community school model has demonstrated its importance and effectiveness in several regions of Morocco and has significantly improved success rates in these areas and reduced school dropout.