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Addressing Educational Disruptions: Morocco's Ministry Unveils Comprehensive Plan to Extend School Year

Addressing Educational Disruptions: Morocco's Ministry Unveils Comprehensive Plan to Extend School Year
Wednesday 03 January 2024 - 11:25
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To mitigate the impact of pandemic-related disruptions on students, Morocco's Ministry of Education has introduced an ambitious plan for additional instructional hours during the 2023-2024 academic year. Named "Reclaiming Our Education," this initiative aims to extend the school calendar by one week across all grade levels, ensuring ample time for secondary students to cover exam-critical curriculum comprehensively.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Minister of Education Ahmed El Mezouaghi elucidated the objectives of the initiative, stating, "Our focus is on reinforcing core competencies essential for success at the next level. Students will receive additional support to solidify both knowledge and skills."

Key components of the plan include:

1. Flexible Exam Scheduling: To alleviate student anxiety, the ministry has introduced flexible exam scheduling. Although national baccalaureate tests will proceed as planned, starting on June 10th, the initiative aims to reduce unnecessary stress on students.

2. Customized Remediation Plans: Schools will receive tailored remediation plans designed to address specific academic needs. Regional and local administrators will benefit from additional funding to implement these plans effectively.

3. Delayed Start for Standardized Exams: In an effort to accommodate the extended school year, standardized regional and provincial exams will commence a week later than originally scheduled. However, the dates for the national baccalaureate exams will remain unchanged.

Minister El Mezouaghi stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in moving forward, stating, "It is our shared responsibility to help students regain their confidence and achieve their full potential."

The complete strategy outlined by the Ministry can be found in Circular No. 001-24, issued on January 2nd, 2024. Further details are available on the official website www.men.gov.ma and through various social media channels.