Morocco makes progress in education, mismatch with labor market
Morocco, Education, 7/8/1998

The average number of teachers in Moroccan universities and training institutes stood in 1996-97 at 1 teacher for each 20 students.

According to a National Report on Human Development in 1997, the rate stands at one teacher for each 27 students in universities and 1 teacher for each 6 students in training institutes.

The report notes that higher education in Morocco witnessed major progress during the last four decades. The number of students increased at an average rate of 11 percent since 1960. The aggregate number of degree-holders was 34,300 in 1995-96.

This rapid growth coincides with decentralization of educational institutions and diversification of vocational training branches, the report says, adding the number of colleges increased from 6 in 1960-61 to 68 in 1997-98.

Female schooling also considerably increased. Today, female students account for over 41 percent of the total number of students. The rate of female students exceeds 50 percent in medical sciences, dentistry and humanities, the report says.

However, the report deplored the imbalance between the labor market and the educational system. This imbalance gave way to soaring rates of unemployment among graduates. As a result, 45 percent of graduates in the 25-34 age bracket are unemployed.

Touching on the educational budget, the report notes that it increased between 1981 and 1997 at a more rapid rate (15 percent annually in average) than the state budget (11 percent).

Staff expenses increased 4.5 times during the same period since the education sector provides 50 percent of the jobs created in the public service.

The education budget includes in addition, allocations to finance social benefits granted to pupils and students (meals, grants, university refectories). These social benefits soak about $100,000 Million annually.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco to lower illiteracy rate to 25 percent   (6/23/1998)
  Lebanese President inaugurates Higher education regional conference   (3/3/1998)
  Arresting Islamic students demonstrating at Casablanca University   (11/5/1997)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search