Latest news with #MinistryofNationalEducation
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Health
- Morocco World
‘My Brother Didn't Choose to be Trisomic': ‘Pieces of Heaven' Face School Rejection in Morocco
Marrakech – In Morocco's educational system – already ranked among the lowest globally – thousands of children with Trisomy 21 exist in silence. These children – described by their families as 'pieces of heaven' with pure hearts and untapped intelligence – struggle daily against a system that refuses to see them. Each year, approximately 600 Moroccan newborns enter the world with this chromosomal condition, joining an estimated 60,000 Moroccans already living with what medical professionals call Down syndrome. Behind these numbers lie shattered dreams, exhausted parents, and children desperate for the most basic right: an education. Trisomy 21 occurs when a child is born with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two, causing developmental delays and distinctive physical characteristics. The condition is not hereditary, appearing as a chromosomal accident during pregnancy. While these children possess extraordinary affection and unique intelligence, their primary obstacle often isn't their condition – it's society's response to it. According to medical experts, Trisomy 21 represents the most common genetic disease, affecting approximately one in every thousand births in Morocco. At birth, about 40% of these children have detectable cardiac abnormalities that require immediate intervention from neonatal intensive care specialists, cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons to ensure survival during the early stages of life. The condition was first described in 1862 by British physician John Langdon Down, who initially called it 'Mongolism' or 'Mongolian idiocy' and characterized it as a form of mental disability. Today, medical understanding has evolved significantly, with specialists recognizing that these children have specific cognitive disorders that can be addressed through therapy. Education: A constitutional right denied Morocco's 2011 Constitution explicitly states: 'Basic education is a right for children and an obligation for families and the state.' Yet for Trisomy 21 children, this constitutional guarantee remains hollow. As is often the case in the North African country, the issue is not about the availability of laws and judicial texts but about their application. Framework Law 51.17 on the education, training, and scientific research system in Morocco, along with a new government decree (No. 2.21.81) based on Article 13 of this framework law, requires private schools to allocate 15% of their capacity to students from disadvantaged families, persons with disabilities, and those in special social situations. This situation leads to a burning question: Why doesn't the Ministry of National Education establish an admission quota for children with special needs in private schools to ensure their integration and support? Schools across the country – particularly those of higher reputation – routinely slam their doors in these children's faces, treating them as if they were 'extraterrestrials' or 'monsters' who would disrupt normal classroom functioning. The bitter reality facing these families hits hardest when they begin their search for educational opportunities. Schools openly admit they prefer children with dyslexia or autism 'because they can follow regular courses,' leaving Trisomy 21 children with nowhere to go. Parents find themselves trapped in an endless cycle of rejection, forced to place their children in inappropriate environments where they often regress rather than progress. The National Human Development Initiative (INDH) centers – intended to serve people with special needs – frequently fail these children by grouping all disabilities together without differentiation. Children of various ages, needs, and behavioral profiles are mixed haphazardly, sometimes resulting in Trisomy 21 children returning home injured or adopting negative behaviors they never displayed before. For families fortunate enough to find appropriate schooling, the cost becomes another insurmountable barrier. The minimum monthly expense for proper medical care and education reaches MAD 2,500 ($250) per child – an impossible sum for many Moroccan families, especially considering that the average monthly wage hovers around MAD 3,000 ($300). This financial burden continues throughout the child's life, as they require lifelong medical attention and support. Beyond education, these children need access to various therapeutic services that many consider luxuries rather than necessities. Activities like swimming and music – critical for their development – are often dismissed as frivolous by officials, despite being essential components of treatment for these children. The United Nations recognized the importance of this issue in 2011 by adopting a resolution declaring March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day, calling on all member states to raise public awareness about the condition. 'They are not Moroccans?': One sister breaks her silence The sister of an 18-year-old with Trisomy 21 decided to speak out after witnessing her family's decade-long struggle to secure her brother's education. The young man – described as calm, wise, organized, and possessing 'a form of incredible intelligence' – faces a bleak future after his school announced its bankruptcy and closure with no alternative solution for its special needs students. 'When searching for a school for my brother in El Jadida, we faced a painful reality,' Zaïnab Lyassaa, whose family learned of her brother's condition on the day of his birth, tells Morocco World News (MWN). 'My brother didn't choose to be trisomic or to have difficulty speaking… These children are angels among us, with pure hearts and intelligence waiting to be revealed – if only someone would give them a chance.' 'From the moment of his birth, we accepted him with joy,' Zaïnab recalls. 'He truly felt like a gift. But deep down, we worried about his integration into society.' Her mother devoted herself entirely to her son, following up with speech therapists and working tirelessly on his development – even while battling cancer in 2013. 'Now she worries constantly about his future,' Zaïnab reveals. 'Who will take care of him if something happens to her?' 'When schools tell us they only accept dyslexic or autistic children, I have to ask: aren't Trisomy 21 children Moroccan too? Don't they have the right to education?' she questions with palpable frustration. 'Why doesn't the government require every educational institution to accept children with special needs of all types, integrating them into regular classrooms while also providing specialized support?' Her brother's journey reveals the painful cycle many families endure. After years in the same kindergarten class with no advancement, his family found a promising school – Shiraz educational institution – that provided both integration with regular students and specialized support classes. For the first time, he felt 'like a student among others,' not different from his peers. Despite being 18, he had just completed his first year of middle school, progressing gradually with targeted exams adapted to his level. 'He had his world, but overnight he saw it collapse,' his sister reveals, describing the moment they learned his school would close. 'And now we're back to our starting point from 2010. Where will my brother go?' The family's early experiences trying to find appropriate schooling proved traumatic. 'We tried a regular private school that functioned more like a daycare to establish a routine for him,' Zaïnab explains. 'But there was no progress because they lacked expertise in supporting these children.' Later attempts at specialized centers proved even worse. 'He would come back either beaten or assaulted and began adopting behaviors he never had before. We saw deterioration instead of improvement.' The family's desperation echoes that of countless others across Morocco. Most initiatives for Trisomy 21 children exist only in major cities like Casablanca and Rabat, forcing families to uproot their lives and relocate simply to access basic services. Those in small towns and rural areas face even grimmer prospects. 'These children are pieces of heaven given extraordinary abilities and a special kind of intelligence by God,' Zaïnab insists. 'Why do we hold them accountable for something they didn't control? Why don't we support them and help them achieve their dreams?' 'Without their families, there's no one to care for them,' she stresses. 'I can't find appropriate words to describe this situation, especially knowing my brother's case is just one among many. How is it possible that in 2025 Morocco, we find a group of Moroccans with marginalized rights?' Her brother dreams of traveling alone, driving a car, and working – aspirations she fears may never materialize. 'It breaks my heart that my brother has dreams,' Zaïnab confesses, 'but deep inside, I know he won't be able to achieve them. What about children whose parents don't have health coverage or stable employment? What about those in villages and small cities?' 'We're asking for so little,' she continues. 'When even education becomes a dream that's difficult to achieve, we must ask questions and raise concerns.' Experts confirm the current situation is 'not optimal' for Trisomy 21 children. While medical advances have extended their life expectancy beyond 50 years, specialized structures for their education remain very rare, leaving parents in regrettable distress. Yet amid this institutional abandonment, hope persists in the determined voices of families fighting for change. In one of her LinkedIn posts chronicling her family's struggle, Zaïnab concludes with words that balance desperation and determination: 'Perhaps this post will resonate, perhaps it will touch someone who can enlighten us or even help us find a new school. In the meantime, I continue to believe that a more inclusive Morocco is possible.' Tags: down syndromeMorocco's educational systemTrisomic children
Morocco World
20-07-2025
- Science
- Morocco World
Moroccan Students Achieve Best Math Olympiad Score in 30 Years
Fez – In a remarkable academic feat, Moroccan high school students have just made history at the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad in Australia, scoring the country's best result in three decades and earning global recognition in a competition dominated by the world's top math minds. The Moroccan national team racked up a total of 106 points, bringing home two bronze medals and four honorable mentions. It's the second-best performance in the country's history at this prestigious event, and the strongest showing since 1983. Yassine Kamouh and Hamza Achak were the medalists, earning 26 and 24 points respectively. Their achievement, according to the Moroccan Mathematics Association, reflects 'exceptional scientific excellence and advanced problem-solving skills.' Four other teammates: Mohamed Amine Halhoule, Mohamed Wassim Aabida, Sami Massaoui, and Yasser Messaad earned honorable mentions for their efforts. For the families, it was more than a win, it was a moment of national pride. 'It was overwhelming joy mixed with deep pride,' said Hassan Halhoule, father of one of the medalists. 'This result raised the Moroccan flag among countries with far more resources and support.' The students finished 57th globally, a significant leap given the intense pressures they were under, not just the complexity of the Olympiad problems, but the added challenge of balancing their training with baccalaureate exam preparations. Training camps took place in Benguerir and were organized by the Ministry of National Education, which provided key logistical and academic support throughout. Still, much of the credit also goes to the Moroccan Mathematics Association, whose consistent coaching and motivation made a tangible impact. According to parents and mentors, names like Ziyad Oumzil stood out, mentors who were not just coaches, but daily companions in the emotional and intellectual marathon leading to the Olympiad. But behind the medals lies a deeper message: Morocco's excellence in mathematics is not a coincidence. It's part of a long intellectual heritage. 'This is not just a success, it's a continuation of a tradition,' said Halhoule. 'From the Almoravid era to now, Morocco's identity has always included a serious engagement with science, astronomy, and mathematics.' Despite this year's success, there was a missed opportunity, a third medal was within reach. Student Mohamed Amine Halhoule came heartbreakingly close, but a scoring dispute over one of his solutions edged him out of medal range. Still, the team's overall performance remains a milestone achievement. To take things further, families and educators are now calling for more formal support. Unlike countries such as Saudi Arabia, where students are exempt from exams and trained by international experts, Moroccan students often juggle multiple pressures. With more freedom, funding, and structured support, there's no doubt they could soar even higher. As the Moroccan Mathematics Association put it in their statement, this isn't the end, it's a push to keep building a generation that excels in science, proudly representing Morocco in every global arena. Tags: AustraliaMathOlympiadstudents
Ya Biladi
16-07-2025
- Science
- Ya Biladi
Ten top students awarded excellence grants by Hassan II Academy
The Hassan II Academy of Sciences and Technology awarded excellence grants on July 15 to the ten winners of the 2025 General Competition of Sciences and Technology (CGST), during its annual ceremony held at its headquarters in Rabat. Organized by the Ministry of National Education, the CGST is open to baccalaureate graduates from scientific and technical tracks who obtained the highest marks in their respective subjects, reads a press release. Each year, the top four students in mathematics and the top two in physics, life and earth sciences, and engineering are selected. The ten laureates receive long-term financial support from the Academy, covering their higher education up to the doctoral level, conditional on continued academic excellence. Since its launch in 2010, the program has supported 138 students (97 boys and 41 girls), including 48 in mathematics and 30 in each of the other three scientific tracks. Many have gone on to attend top institutions, including 30 at École Polytechnique Paris, 8 at ENS schools in France, and 13 at CentraleSupélec and other Grandes Écoles. Twelve former recipients have completed PhDs at leading international universities and labs, mainly in North America, while seven are currently pursuing doctoral studies at institutions such as MIT, Stanford, Oxford, NYU, the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms, EPFL, and Université de Paris-Saclay. The initiative reflects the Academy's mission, as defined by King Mohammed VI, to develop high-level national scientific talent capable of serving both Morocco and the global scientific community.
Morocco World
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Five Moroccan Youth Handball Players Disappear During Tournament in Poland
Rabat — Five Moroccan handball players disappeared from their team headquarters during a youth tournament in Poland last month. This incident marks the second involving Moroccan athletes in the country within ten days. Players left their delegation during the Under-19 tournament in late June, embarrassing Moroccan officials and prompting a formal investigation. Morocco's National Authority for Fighting Corruption in Sports contacted the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports about what they called a 'sporting and diplomatic scandal.' Investigators suspect 'internal collusion' may have helped the players escape, with officials having identified a man over 30 years old who traveled with the delegation and allegedly has connections to illegal migration networks. As it happens, the Moroccan Handball Federation faces criticism for failing to send responsible officials to accompany the young players and staff during the tournament. This incident follows another disappearance involving Moroccan handball players in Poland. Two members of Morocco's Under-21 national team vanished during the World Championship held from June 18-29. Oussama Hakaoui and Moubarak Messaoudi, both players from Ittihad Nouacer, left their hotel during a stopover in Bologna, Italy, before the team traveled to Poland. Neither player has made contact since their disappearance. The back-to-back incidents signal growing concerns about Moroccan athletes using sporting events as opportunities to illegally immigrate. Anti-corruption officials have called for an urgent investigation into both cases. In 2022, a similar case took place when three players from Morocco's national amputee football team fled the Amp Futbol Cup 2022 in Poland. Meanwhile, eight Moroccan minors fled the World School Championship in Slovakia in May of the same year. Tags: Handball playersHandball tournamentMoroccoPoland
Ya Biladi
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Palestinian refugee and Gaza doctor stories rejected from Arabic exam in Morocco
The Regional Directorate of the Ministry of National Education in Al Fida–Mers Sultan district in Casablanca has rejected two texts intended for the sixth-grade Arabic language exam scheduled for June 2025. Both texts addressed the suffering of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. The first text tells the story of a Palestinian refugee dreaming of returning to his homeland, while the second recounts the experience of a Palestinian doctor who, against all odds, continued to provide medical aid to his besieged people in Gaza. The directorate justified its decision by stating that the proposed texts «touched on politically sensitive national issues» and requested that the Arabic language exam topic be «replaced with something more appropriate». This decision sparked a wave of controversy on social media and drew attention in parliament. Abdessamad Haiker, a MP from the Justice and Development Party (PJD), submitted a written question to the Minister of National Education, Primary Education, and Sports. He emphasized that «the resilience of the Palestinian people in facing occupation and their right to return to their homeland are legitimate rights guaranteed by international law and various relevant international resolutions. These rights have never been a matter of debate or disagreement among Moroccans of different backgrounds». Haiker added, «Moroccans have historically been at the forefront of supporting the Palestinian people and defending their historic and legitimate rights, including the right to return to Palestine. This issue has always been deeply rooted in the Moroccan conscience and has never been a source of sensitivity». He described the directorate's actions as a blatant provocation to the feelings of Moroccans and a direct affront to their national values—chief among them the Palestinian cause, which «His Majesty the King equates with the territorial integrity of the kingdom». Haiker called on the Minister of National Education and Primary Education to clarify the details of this decision and outline the measures his ministry will take to address this offensive incident and prevent its recurrence. Meanwhile, the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Against Normalization issued a statement condemning the move, declaring that «the censored text, prepared in full compliance with the exam procedures manual and the framework for the primary education certificate exam, was unlawfully rejected». The Front strongly denounced «the actions of the Al Fida-Mers Sultan Regional Directorate», calling them «an act of educational normalization, the most dangerous form of normalization with the Zionist entity». The Front affirmed that this incident is «not isolated but part of the Moroccan regime's ongoing comprehensive normalization with the criminal Zionist entity». They demanded «a fair and independent investigation into the matter and that those responsible for this blatant betrayal be held accountable».
