With the start of the new school year, Morocco has begun implementing extensive increases in the teaching of English and Amazigh in its educational institutions, a significant step toward improving the teaching of languages in the country. Minister of National Education Chakib Benmoussa outlined the ministry’s plans for increased and improved language education during a press conference on Tuesday.
Benmoussa stated that the ministry will be generalizing the teaching of English to first- and second-year middle school students over the next two academic years. This expansion builds on the previous introduction of English education in the third year of middle school.
Benmoussa also highlighted that 28% of first-year middle school students in the current academic year will study English, increasing to 62% in the second year of middle school.
The press conference also addressed the implementation of Amazigh language teaching in Moroccan primary schools. According to Minister Benmoussa, 31% of schools have begun teaching Amazigh in the current academic year. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to language education, which led to the decision to increase Amazigh instruction beginning this year.
The ministry’s long-term vision is to have 50% of educational establishments offering Amazigh language instruction by 2026, with the final goal of the language being taught in 12,000 institutions by 2030, benefiting 4 million students.
Minister Benmoussa said that the main method the ministry is using to increase the number Amazigh-teaching institutions is to hire more specialized Amazigh language teachers, with a goal of employing between 1500 and 2000 bilingual teachers each year.
The framework for these initiatives was set up when Minister Benmoussa issued a memo to regional directors of education and training in May and June, stating plans to expand English at the middle school level and Amazigh at the elementary school level beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year.