
Over 160,000 Middle School Students Drop Out Each Year, Says Education Minister
He shared the figure on Monday during a session at the House of Representatives.
'These are children without schooling, without training, and often without support in difficult environments,' said the minister during the weekly parliamentary questions.
Berrada linked this high dropout rate to incidents of violence around sports stadiums.
He said that many young people involved in these disturbances are those who have left school early and spend time around stadium areas.
To address safety concerns ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the minister announced that all stadiums hosting matches will be equipped with surveillance cameras to help identify those responsible for acts of vandalism.
On other education issues, Berrada explained that overcrowding at the primary level has been addressed, but still exists at the middle and high school levels, with a current overcrowding rate of 12%.
This, he said, is not due to a shortage of teachers, but to population growth in specific urban areas such as Beni Makada in Tangier, Médiouna, and Nouaceur in Casablanca. Rural areas are less affected by overcrowding, but face different challenges.
In these rural regions, multigrade classrooms, where one teacher handles several grade levels, are still common.
The minister said that the development of community schools will eventually allow for the end of this system, which is often seen as less effective.
The figures and statements reflect the broader difficulties Morocco faces in keeping students engaged in the education system, particularly in the middle school years and in rapidly growing urban districts. Tags: drop out of schoolsEducation in Moroccovandalism
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
FIFA President Tours Morocco's Renovated Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Rabat — FIFA President Gianni Infantino toured today the newly reconstructed Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat alongside Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa. FIFA chief commended the facility as one of the most modern and innovative stadiums in the world of football. 'A football stadium today is much more than just a place to play football. It is a symbol for a country and a place to unite people, and this particular stadium is already a true jewel, showing the modern Morocco, a country projecting itself into the future and choosing football to unite the world,' Infantino wrote in a social media post. The stadium underwent complete reconstruction after the original venue was demolished in summer 2023. It represents Morocco's ambitious vision for its footballing future. The stadium is of strategic importance, extending beyond domestic football, positioning Morocco as a key venue for international competitions. The stadium is set to host a semi-final of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, when Morocco co-hosts the tournament alongside Spain and Portugal. Additionally, the facility will play a central role in continental competitions, with plans to host major matches during the 2025 AFCON. The FIFA president's visit reflects Morocco's broader football infrastructure transformation, with the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium serving as an example of the North African country's commitment to modernizing its sporting facilities. Tags: 2025 afconFRMFGianni InfantinoPrince Moulay Abdellah Stadium


Morocco World
4 hours ago
- Morocco World
Oussama El Azzouzi Set to Join Auxerre on Loan from Bologna
Moroccan international Oussama El Azzouzi is expected to join AJ Auxerre on loan from Bologna, with the move likely to be confirmed in the coming days. The 24-year-old midfielder will arrive on a season-long loan without an option to buy, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. El Azzouzi endured a difficult 2024–25 campaign, featuring for just 25 minutes in Serie A due to a serious knee injury. He joined Bologna from Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 but made only three league appearances during his time in Italy. Capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or centre-back, El Azzouzi was part of Morocco's Olympic squad last summer and has recently broken into the senior national team. His move to Ligue 1 is seen as an opportunity to regain match fitness and secure a place in Walid Regragui's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted in Morocco from 21 December. Auxerre, who are looking to consolidate their place in Ligue 1, have been active in the transfer market and view El Azzouzi as a low-risk, high-reward addition to their midfield and defensive options. While the loan comes without a long-term commitment, it offers the player a chance to relaunch his career ahead of a busy international calendar that also includes qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.


Morocco World
6 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Prison Authority Denies False Death Claims in Viral Video
Rabat — Morocco's prison authority has denied false claims about a detained police officer's death that spread through a video posted online by someone living abroad. The General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) issued a statement Saturday rejecting allegations that a police officer died at Ain Sebaa local prison. The prisoner mentioned in the video remains alive and currently serves his sentence at Arjat 2 local prison, not Ain Sebaa prison as the video claimed, DGAPR's statement indicated. Prison officials said the inmate faces charges for complicity in insulting public officials during their duties, insulting a legally governed institution, and helping spread fake statements and misleading information through computer systems for defamation purposes. The DGAPR clarified that he serves an 18-month prison sentence following a preliminary court decision, not the five-year term the video's creator falsely reported. The prison authority also accused the person who made the video of spreading fake news as part of a systematic campaign targeting Moroccan national institutions and agencies, in this case prison authorities. Officials described this as part of a broader plan designed to damage Morocco's image and defame its symbols while serving hostile agendas, especially with the organization of two prestigious football tournaments, the 2025 AFCON and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, approaching. The statement raises ongoing concerns about misinformation campaigns targeting Moroccan institutions through social media platforms, particularly by individuals operating from outside the country's borders. In July 2024, a report indicated that the North African country was heavily subjected to fake news campaigns in June of the same year. The Moroccan government has been intensifying efforts to combat misinformation campaigns. In 2024, Morocco's Ministry of Communication met with TikTok's MENA director in a joint-pledge to take serious action on the matter and strengthen cooperation. Tags: DGAPRfake newsmoroccan prison authorityPrison authorities