National Women's Day - March 8th
The Moroccan education system seems to be a complicated process, but there are many teacher who are trying to increase student success where possible. The new teachers who are coming up through the ranks are trying very hard to learn and work with new technology. Just today my TGC colleague, Carl, and I presented at a district English language meeting. The topic was Content Based Learning Teaching. We both presented about 20 minutes on what we do to work and improve student competencies. It went really well! I am hoping some staff member email me to work on some global projects. Steve, if you are reading this, I met one of the girls who was part of the iEARN project. On top of that I also met my future student teachers good friend in the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat.
The French Protectorate in Morocco was established by the Treaty of Fez. It existed from 1912 until Moroccan independence on March 2nd, 1956. During this time the education system insisted that French was the language that occurred in the classroom.
Education in Morocco is compulsory through to age 15 and free. Many children in rural areas (especially girls) fail to attend. Those who do, often drop out before they reach secondary school level, and there are shocking gaps in literacy because of these unfortunate trends.
Middle school taking place at colleges requires 3 years to complete. Less than 60% of pupils are either able to, or wish to finish this phase. In poorer rural areas their hands are needed elsewhere for work, to supplement the family income instead.
During their initial year at secondary school, students follow a core curriculum in either arts & science, mathematics or original education. In the two succeeding years they apply their minds to one of agricultural science, earth & life sciences, mathematics, physics or technical studies
A Moroccan classroom is directed in French, Arabic, and English. Typically, the math and science classes are taught in Arabic and the language arts classes are taught in French. It is also important to remember that students go to school from 8am to 6pm with a 2 hour break for lunch. Then on Saturday, they are in school for a morning session, 8am to 12pm. Typically, the science classes are in the morning and the language classes are in the afternoon.
Teachers are assigned to a teaching school based on a wide variety of variables determined by their class rank, need for teachers at the school, years of teaching, number and level of degrees and teaching evaluations. Teachers typically work in a rural school before moving to urban area.
One more thing to note - The principal title does not exists, he is a building manager and does not know anything about the curriculum. The Inspector is the district supervisor who manages the curriculum or anything to do with teaching. It would not be out of the normal if there was a 100 to 1 ratio for teachers to inspector, respectively.
The French Protectorate in Morocco was established by the Treaty of Fez. It existed from 1912 until Moroccan independence on March 2nd, 1956. During this time the education system insisted that French was the language that occurred in the classroom.
Education in Morocco is compulsory through to age 15 and free. Many children in rural areas (especially girls) fail to attend. Those who do, often drop out before they reach secondary school level, and there are shocking gaps in literacy because of these unfortunate trends.
Middle school taking place at colleges requires 3 years to complete. Less than 60% of pupils are either able to, or wish to finish this phase. In poorer rural areas their hands are needed elsewhere for work, to supplement the family income instead.
During their initial year at secondary school, students follow a core curriculum in either arts & science, mathematics or original education. In the two succeeding years they apply their minds to one of agricultural science, earth & life sciences, mathematics, physics or technical studies
A Moroccan classroom is directed in French, Arabic, and English. Typically, the math and science classes are taught in Arabic and the language arts classes are taught in French. It is also important to remember that students go to school from 8am to 6pm with a 2 hour break for lunch. Then on Saturday, they are in school for a morning session, 8am to 12pm. Typically, the science classes are in the morning and the language classes are in the afternoon.
Teachers are assigned to a teaching school based on a wide variety of variables determined by their class rank, need for teachers at the school, years of teaching, number and level of degrees and teaching evaluations. Teachers typically work in a rural school before moving to urban area.
One more thing to note - The principal title does not exists, he is a building manager and does not know anything about the curriculum. The Inspector is the district supervisor who manages the curriculum or anything to do with teaching. It would not be out of the normal if there was a 100 to 1 ratio for teachers to inspector, respectively.