- An EIB loan of €102.5m (more than MAD 1bn) will help finance the construction and fitting-out of 150 community schools in several Regional Education and Training Academies in the Kingdom of Morocco.
- This operation has a budget of €23.3m (MAD 245m) financed by the European Union, including an investment grant of €14m and technical assistance of €9.3m to support the project’s implementation.
- This is part of the government’s programme to reform the education sector and underpins the country’s efforts to create high-quality public schools that can guarantee equity and equal opportunities.
On Tuesday 15 February 2022, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union and the Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance signed two agreements to finance an investment programme for the construction of 150 community schools and related infrastructure in a number of Regional Education and Training Academies, mostly located in rural parts of the country.
This EIB loan of €102.5m (more than MAD 1bn) is supplemented by EU finance of €23.3m (MAD 245m) under the Neighbourhood Investment Platform, consisting of an investment grant of €14m and technical assistance totalling €9.3m to support the project’s implementation. There is an additional contribution from the general state budget of some €100 million to supplement the programme’s financing plan.
These financial contributions from the EIB and the European Union are in line with the 2015-2030 reform of the education sector in the Kingdom of Morocco, which has set as objectives more equitable access to education across the nation, focusing on the inclusion of girls and equal opportunities to raise the level of education in the country.
This operation complements the educational projects currently supported by the European Union in Morocco, in particular the Integrated Programme of Support for Training and Education in Morocco (PIAFE).
This rural schooling programme provides for investment in modern school infrastructure and equipment, with initiatives designed to achieve energy efficiency in schools and provide innovative teaching materials.
Qualitative actions are also planned for the training of teachers and heads of community schools in order to improve the quality of learning and management of these institutions.
Furthermore, technical assistance will support the relevant Directorate within the Ministry of Education, Pre-School and Sports throughout the programme’s implementation.
Promoting territorial equity, increasing school enrolment rates and improving the quality of teaching
The objective of the programme is to increase school enrolment rates in Morocco, develop quality education and accommodate students under appropriate conditions.
The programme, which is based on Morocco’s innovative model of community schools, is designed to better meet the expectations of rural populations (students, teachers and parents) in line with the needs of regions and local socioeconomic conditions.
With this in mind, the programme will focus on equitable access to education in rural areas to contribute to social inclusion, gender equality and the reduction of regional imbalances.
Ultimately, the aim is to contribute to the development and fulfilment of Morocco’s youth and their socioeconomic integration.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance, noted "the strength of cooperation links between the Kingdom of Morocco, the EIB and the European Union and the importance of the EIB’s support for our country’s efforts in the education sector.” She declared that "the signing of this €102.5m financing contract between the Kingdom of Morocco and the EIB, together with a financing agreement for a grant of €23.3m, forms part of the introduction of a new development model, which places a core emphasis on education and human capital.” She concluded that this funding “supplements a contribution from the general state budget of some €100m and is part of a programme perfectly in line with the Moroccan government’s strategic vision for the education sector, intended to improve the sector’s overall performance between now and 2030.”
Patricia Pilar Llombart Cussac, EU Ambassador to Morocco, said: We look forward to working with Morocco to support its efforts for inclusive and quality education. Social inclusion begins in school. Equal opportunities must be available to all children, girls and boys. That’s why rural areas are a priority in this programme, which plans to build 150 community schools equipped with modern infrastructure, facilities and qualified staff.”
“I am delighted to announce this ambitious rural schooling programme in Morocco, as it fits perfectly with the nation’s strategy to promote the inclusion of young Moroccans in rural areas, especially girls, and will enable younger generations to better integrate into society”, said Flavia Palanza, the EIB’s Director of Lending in EU Neighbouring Countries. She added: “The education sector remains a major priority for Morocco. We are therefore proud to bring our expertise to improve access to and the quality of education across the country. Through this new programme, we are helping to prepare future generations.”
Chakib Benmoussa, Minister of National Education, Pre-School and Sports stated that "this programme is a major contribution to the Kingdom’s efforts to promote equitable access to education in rural areas and improve educational conditions for quality schooling for all. The community school model has shown how important and effective it can be in many regions of Morocco. It has significantly improved educational success rates in these areas and has reduced the number of children dropping out of school. He added: “The government has committed in its programme to improve education in rural areas by enhancing the network of community schools according to a new model based on optimising reception facilities, facilitating access, especially for the benefit of girls from rural areas, school support and governance with greater involvement of stakeholders.”
This funding, which forms part of the EU-Morocco partnership and comes under the EIB’s 2014-2020 External Loan Mandate (ELM), also contributes to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education while promoting learning opportunities for all (Objective 4).
Background information
European Investment Bank (EIB)
The EIB has been a key partner for Morocco for 40 years. The EIB finances the development and implementation of important projects in vital sectors of the Moroccan economy such as business support, agriculture, water and sanitation, education, health, transport and renewable energy.
EIB Global, the new specialised arm of the EIB Group, seeks to increase the impact of international partnerships and development finance. EIB Global aims to foster a stronger and more focused partnership with Team Europe alongside other development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to local people, businesses and institutions through our offices across the globe.