Education reforms in Morocco during the reign of King Mohammed VI (1999–2011): An analytical study of educational policies and programs

Abstract

           The study aimed to identify the most prominent educational reforms in Morocco during the reign of King Mohammed VI and during the historical period (1999-2011), and this research may address educational reforms in Morocco during that period of time, through an analytical study of the policies and programs adopted by the state to improve the education system. With the accession of King Mohammed VI, education was given high priority as a key driver of human, social and economic development. The reforms focused on three main axes: universalization of education, improvement of its quality, and modernization of its management. The National Charter for Education and Training (1999) was launched as the main reference for reform, followed by the emergency program (2009-2012) to address the malfunctions of the system. The state adopted a holistic approach to reform, including legal, educational, and pedagogical aspects. Despite large budgets and structural adjustments, the results remained Reforms have faced difficulties in implementing on the ground, especially in rural areas. On the other hand, there has been an improvement in school rates and infrastructure, but problems related to the quality of education, school dropout, and regional disparities remain. The research concludes that the studied phase constituted a turning point in educational policies and reforms in Morocco, but did not fully achieve the desired goals, which calls for critical evaluation and continuation of reform with a long-term strategic perspective.