Morocco

The Moroccan system of education is a progressive one. Since its liberation from French rule in 1956, Morocco has worked to establish an education system that will prepare its citizens to meet the country's needs and to compete in a world market. However, in 2000 more than 50 percent of the population was illiterate. Compulsory education is gradually being established, new perspectives on pedagogy and the art of teaching are being incorporated, and a focus on school-to-career programs is being adopted at all levels of education.

Morocco continues to face challenges: improving education; generalizing its impact, especially within the female population; equalizing urban and rural education; boosting multi-factorial productivity, particularly that of its youthful human capital; enhancing its peoples' lifestyle; creating jobs; liberalizing open macroeconomic relations; reforming many of its banking and financial structures; attracting foreign capital, direct and portfolio; alleviating its external debt; and diversifying its economic tissue beyond traditional agriculture and tourism. The constant reassessment and investment of its human capital, its employability, effective utilization, and pragmatic optimum training are central components of the country's long-term socioeconomic development.