Over 750,000 fresh pupils to head for Moroccan schools on September 16

Moroccan Education Minister Ismail Alaoui said a total of 757,000 new students will be heading to public schools this year, an increase of 8.8% in comparison with last year.

The increase in school enrollment is higher among girls, 8.9% in cities and 11.5% in rural areas.

The overall number of students attending classes of public basic education (1st to 9th grade) will reach this year 4,666,000, an increase of 9.7% in comparison with last year. Out of this total, 2,730,000 are in urban areas (up 5%) and 1,934,000 pupils in rural areas (up 17%).

The minister regretted the low budget allocated to education, which was only raised by 1.15% in comparison with the 1998-99 fiscal year. This year's budget stands at $1.3 million (13.1 million DH).

He also announced that the five-year convention signed between the Education Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the Economy and Finance Ministry will enter into force this year. The convention provides for the allocation of an annual $3 million (30 million DH) for the restoration of schools.