Morocco could boost its economy by reforming education, according to the OECD
15 May 2015
Read by 1825 persons
In terms of education, Morocco is still lagging behind. But according to a new OECD study, the kingdom can radically boost its economic growth over the next few decades if all children up to the age of 15 are schooled and acquire all the basic knowledge.
Morocco could change its economic situation "astonishingly" by improving education, according to a new study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The document shows that the kingdom has a growth potential of 1,591% of current GDP by 2095, if all children up to the age of 15 are schooled and master all the basic concepts, the authors indicate.
+2/3 Moroccan students are behind
Indeed, Morocco is still lagging behind in education. It is one of the 9 out of 79 countries covered by the study where more than two-thirds of students fail to reach the basic skills level. These shortcomings directly affect the performance of Moroccan students in international tests. In mathematics and science, for example, the kingdom is ranked 73rd.
According to the OECD, economic growth is closely linked to the skills of the population. The Organization explains that the more citizens receive quality education, the more they will be able to participate in the country's economic development by meeting skills needs. This would improve employment and help reduce poverty, according to the report.
Taking the example of Asia
The authors of the study present the model of Asian countries (Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan) which are now the best in the world in terms of education, believing that lagging countries should follow this example. "If you go into a classroom in Asia, you will find teachers who expect to see every student succeed. There is a lot of rigor, a lot of concentration and consistency," explains Andreas Schleicher, Director of Education at the OECD, to the BBC. Returning to the case of Singapore, which now occupies the 1st place worldwide, he recalls that this country had one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world in the 1960s. But fifty years later, it is emerging as a model.
In Morocco too, there has been progress, particularly in the schooling of children. 97.5% of school-age children had access to primary schools in 2011, according to UNICEF. But this progress remains insufficient for a good positioning of the kingdom on the international scene in terms of education. Moreover, a UNESCO report published last month still insisted on the need to redouble efforts, particularly regarding the quality of education in Morocco. Less than a week before the World Education Forum, to be held from 19 to 22 May in Incheon (South Korea), the OECD study will certainly put pressure on Rabat.
Yabiladi.com
Published on May 13, 2015.
Posted online on May 15, 2015.
Morocco could change its economic situation "astonishingly" by improving education, according to a new study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The document shows that the kingdom has a growth potential of 1,591% of current GDP by 2095, if all children up to the age of 15 are schooled and master all the basic concepts, the authors indicate.
+2/3 Moroccan students are behind
Indeed, Morocco is still lagging behind in education. It is one of the 9 out of 79 countries covered by the study where more than two-thirds of students fail to reach the basic skills level. These shortcomings directly affect the performance of Moroccan students in international tests. In mathematics and science, for example, the kingdom is ranked 73rd.
According to the OECD, economic growth is closely linked to the skills of the population. The Organization explains that the more citizens receive quality education, the more they will be able to participate in the country's economic development by meeting skills needs. This would improve employment and help reduce poverty, according to the report.
Taking the example of Asia
The authors of the study present the model of Asian countries (Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan) which are now the best in the world in terms of education, believing that lagging countries should follow this example. "If you go into a classroom in Asia, you will find teachers who expect to see every student succeed. There is a lot of rigor, a lot of concentration and consistency," explains Andreas Schleicher, Director of Education at the OECD, to the BBC. Returning to the case of Singapore, which now occupies the 1st place worldwide, he recalls that this country had one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world in the 1960s. But fifty years later, it is emerging as a model.
In Morocco too, there has been progress, particularly in the schooling of children. 97.5% of school-age children had access to primary schools in 2011, according to UNICEF. But this progress remains insufficient for a good positioning of the kingdom on the international scene in terms of education. Moreover, a UNESCO report published last month still insisted on the need to redouble efforts, particularly regarding the quality of education in Morocco. Less than a week before the World Education Forum, to be held from 19 to 22 May in Incheon (South Korea), the OECD study will certainly put pressure on Rabat.
Yabiladi.com
Published on May 13, 2015.
Posted online on May 15, 2015.
