Child schooling on the rise

Morocco managed to school 85 percent of children falling in the 6 to 11 years age bracket, education minister, Abdellah Saaf, announced Monday.

The official told the press the figure represents a 3 percent increase over the 82 percent envisioned by the government.

Saaf added that his department wants to bring the figure up to 92 percent during the coming academic year 2001-2002.

"The objective is to guarantee a seat at school for each child and to bring schools closer to children's homes," he said, adding that the generalization of schooling is an urgent and inevitable goal that should be materialized within the five coming years.

He stressed the need, in this connection, to associate parents and motivate pupils.

Saaf also noted that the government gives priority to girls schooling. A plan to encourage little girls' access to school will be finalized shortly. The plan will mainly target rural girls, he said.

Morocco's national average for girls schooling stood at 80.5 percent in 2000-2001 against 74.2 percent in 1999-2000, the education department said.

Rural girls schooling was at 70.4 percent in 2000-2001 against 62.1 percent one year before.