Report on Middle School Dropout Rates and Education Challenges in Morocco

Introduction

According to Mohamed Saad Berrada, the Minister of National Education in Morocco, over 160,000 students drop out of middle school annually. This significant issue was highlighted during a session at the House of Representatives, emphasizing the urgent need to address educational retention in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education.

Key Issues Identified

1. High Dropout Rates: More than 160,000 middle school students leave the education system each year, resulting in many children without schooling, training, or adequate support, often in challenging environments.
2. Link to Violence: The dropout crisis is connected to incidents of violence around sports stadiums. Many youths involved in these disturbances are early school leavers who spend time near stadium areas.
3. Overcrowding in Schools: While primary school overcrowding has been addressed, middle and high schools still experience a 12% overcrowding rate, mainly due to population growth in urban areas such as Beni Makada (Tangier), Médiouna, and Nouaceur (Casablanca).
4. Challenges in Rural Education: Rural areas face different challenges, including the prevalence of multigrade classrooms where one teacher manages several grade levels, which is less effective.

Measures and Solutions

• Enhancing Safety at Sports Venues: To improve safety and reduce violence, especially ahead of major events like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, all stadiums hosting matches will be equipped with surveillance cameras. This initiative supports SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by aiming to reduce violence and vandalism.
• Addressing Overcrowding: The government is focusing on managing population growth impacts in urban schools to reduce overcrowding, thereby improving learning environments and supporting SDG 4.
• Developing Community Schools: The expansion of community schools in rural areas aims to phase out multigrade classrooms, enhancing education quality and accessibility, which aligns with SDG 4 and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Conclusion

The dropout rate and related challenges in Morocco’s education system highlight the need for comprehensive strategies to keep students engaged, especially during middle school years and in rapidly growing urban districts. These efforts are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article focuses on issues related to school dropout rates, overcrowding in schools, and the quality of education, which directly relate to SDG 4.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • The connection between school dropouts and violence around sports stadiums, as well as measures to improve safety through surveillance, links to SDG 16.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Issues of population growth in urban areas causing overcrowding in schools relate to urban development and sustainable community planning under SDG 11.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
   • Target 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for vulnerable populations.
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Dropout rate of middle school students (over 160,000 students dropping out annually).
   • Overcrowding rate in middle and high schools (12% overcrowding rate).
   • Number of multigrade classrooms in rural areas.
   • Availability and development of community schools as an alternative to multigrade classrooms.
2. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions):
   • Incidents of violence around sports stadiums linked to school dropouts.
   • Implementation of surveillance cameras in stadiums to monitor and reduce vandalism and violence.
3. For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Population growth in urban areas causing overcrowding in schools (urban districts such as Beni Makada, Médiouna, Nouaceur).
   • Measures to manage urban growth and its impact on education infrastructure.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: moroccoworldnews.com