Extracurricular Activities: An underused tool in Moroccan education

Saturday 08 November 2025 - 15:20

By: Sahili Aya

Extracurricular Activities: An underused tool in Moroccan education

Casablanca, November 8, 2025 — Only 25% of Moroccan students participate in extracurricular activities (EAs), according to the 2022–2026 roadmap of the Ministry of National Education. This low figure reveals a persistent lack of awareness about the value of these programs — both among students and parents — whether within schools or in external frameworks.

According to Hanaa Ejjennane, a psychomotor therapist based in Casablanca, extracurricular activities encompass all educational, artistic, cultural, and sports practices that take place outside the classroom. “They complement academic learning and contribute to a child’s holistic development — intellectually, emotionally, socially, physically, and morally,” she explained.

A path to personal growth

Extracurricular activities help children explore their interests, discover talents, and build self-confidence. They foster autonomy, initiative, time management, and responsibility. “In these freer spaces than the classroom, children learn to try, fail, adjust, and make their own decisions,” Ejjennane noted. “They also promote emotional learning by helping children manage emotions, face success and failure, and adapt to diverse environments.”

Socialization and intellectual stimulation

EAs also play a vital role in social development. “They teach cooperation, communication, respect for rules, and acceptance of differences,” the specialist added. Activities such as reading, science, or music clubs also stimulate creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking, improving memory, focus, and organization — all of which have a positive impact on academic performance.

Physical health and balance

On the physical side, EAs support balanced growth and better motor coordination, contributing to overall well-being, stress reduction, and healthy routines. “They help regulate screen time — a major concern today — and establish healthy habits from a young age,” Ejjennane emphasized.

Choosing the right activity

Selecting an extracurricular activity depends on several factors: interests, personality, age, and family constraints such as time and budget. Ejjennane advises observing the child closely: “What do they enjoy naturally? Are they energetic or calm? Do they prefer teamwork or individual focus?”
She suggests science or nature clubs for curious children, art or music for creative ones, and sports for active profiles. “One or two sessions per week are enough,” she added. “Children also need unstructured time to play or rest — that too supports their development.”

A potential still underused in schools

Amal Sebbar Alaoui, a public-school teacher, noted that every school year sparks debate about maintaining extracurricular programs. Clubs for reading, sports, culture, health, and the environment are created, each led by teachers. “We’ve seen remarkable improvements in student behavior and motivation among those who participate,” she said, “but participation remains too limited.”

For Alaoui, these programs enhance motivation, academic productivity, and the overall school climate, allowing students to reconnect with learning through creativity and expression beyond the classroom.