Fez University to get Green Campus

The European Union (EU), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez (EMU) have signed a financing agreement to support the construction of the university's eco-campus. The cost of the work amounts to 13 million euros and should be delivered by 2020.

The Green Campus of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez will take on a new face in the coming months. Thirteen million euros will be made available to rebuild and re-equip its ecological campus. The decision follows a financing agreement signed on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 during a ceremony chaired by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mohamed Benchaaboun. It is part of the Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF) mechanism.

The main aim is to support the university, whose training is mainly focused on green economy jobs. The funding will enable the university to benefit from educational and research facilities, sports areas and a bookshop. The eco-campus will be open to 6,000 students from more than 18 nationalities and people with reduced mobility will be favoured. The project is expected to be completed in 2019-2020.

EU ambassador to Morocco Claudia Wiedey said: “we hope that several students from all horizons (Mediterranean, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe) will benefit and graduate from the Euromed University, imbued with the values of tolerance between peoples, enriched by the virtues of interculturality and equipped with the most useful skills for the local and international labor market”.

EIB Representative in Morocco Anna Barone said: “we are pleased to be able to contribute again, thanks to EU funds, to the development of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez, which plays an essential role in the field of higher education and research in Morocco”.

The university’s “intercultural vocation and willingness to partner with other academic institutions in the Mediterranean make it a key academic player in the region”, added the European bank representative.

The Euromed University of Fes is a new regional center of excellence promoting dialogue, intercultural exchange, sharing of knowledge and cooperation in the fields of higher education, research and innovation.

This is not the first funding that the University of Fez has received. In 2017, the EIB had already granted it a loan of EUR 70 million and the EU later provided it with EUR 5 million. The eco-campus is among the few in the world that respects international standards and the requirements of sustainable development.

The Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez was established in November 2012. It aims “to promote exchanges, intercultural dialogue and academic and cultural partnerships in the Euro-Mediterranean region as well as high-level training and research.” Its campus is considered green because the infrastructure is environmentally friendly and focuses on renewable energy.

Luchelle Feukeng



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Morocco's Push For English Gains Ground

On March 17, the Ministry of Handicrafts, Social Economy and Solidarity launched an English training program for trainees or graduates from handicrafts institutions in Fez. The move comes as part of a larger movement across the Kingdom to raise the status of English as a language essential to development and tourism

The struggle to spread the use of English has been going on for the last few years. Back in November 2016 the Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Rachid Belmokhtar, declared that the Ministry has taken serious procedures to expand and improve the use of the English language among students in the Moroccan Kingdom.

At the time Belmokhtar revealed that, in response and accordance with the reform project called for by King Mohammed VI, the Ministry of Education has adopted new approaches and methods to expand and improve the comprehension of school pupils in the country’s newly adopted second foreign language of English. “We’ve tried to encourage the creation of English clubs in all high-schools to encourage students to be able to speak it,” Belmokhtar said.

The move towards promoting English has recieved support, not only within Morocco, but also from abroad. Prominent Kuwaiti businessman and Muslim scholar Tariq Al-Suwaidan has been quoted as saying publicly, “French language is useless and a waste of time.”

Muslim scholar Tariq Al-Suwaidan 

Al-Suwaidan went on to say, “I am serious, French is not the language of tourism, science and civilisation. France is a backward country in terms of administration.” He pointed out that...“Today, the language of science is English – keep it in your minds. I see proof that Arabic was the historic language of science, however, the current [leading] language of science and tourism is English,” noting that “80% of scientific researches in every field are released [and conducted] in English and the 20% of [researches are conducted] in other different languages.”

“French ranks as the 16th most widely spoken language. So, it is useless in the fields of tourism, science and civilisation,” he said.“I think, according to your history and the dominance of the francophone [culture], which you have to get rid of it – you are still attached to French [language]. We need to break this barrier, because it is useless. [Please] pay to attention to this and learn English.”

Over the past years, the issue of English has become controversial, but, according to a 2015 survey, conducted by news website Hespress, 85.98% of Moroccans want to replace French with English as the country’s first foreign language.

300 Artisans will gain increased proficiency in English 

Morocco World News reports that the new project for artisans is part of a partnership agreement between the ministry, the American Embassy, and the American Language Center to provide beneficiaries with tools to communicate with tourists and improve the sale of their products.

More than 300 artisans in the Msala and Aouinat Hajjaj handicraft institutions will benefit from this program, which will be assisted by the University of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah  and the handicraft chamber of the Fez and Meknes region.

“The program aims to empower young trainees with various tools including communication, to enable them integrate in the labor market and to develop this sector which is considered one of the pillars of the national economy,” said Fatema Marouane, the head minister.

The American Language Center in Fez is a major partner in the program

The program, launched in the presence of the Wali of Fez-Meknes region, Said Zniber, and the representatives of all partners of the program, will comprise 36 hours of educational activities which might be expanded, along with certificates to be given to the beneficiaries by the ALC.

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Milestone for Fez Medina Children's Library

In January the Medina Children's Library will be two years old. In that time, more than 25,000 visits will have been made by local children to the small space off one of the main streets in the Fez Medina. It's the only children's library in the whole city. To keep the doors open, the Library is seeking donations.

Samia Bachroui, 23, has been working as a librarian for the past year.  She says, "I've seen the improvement in the children." Many visit regularly and Samia says, "their level of expression is better now."

Librarian Samia Bachroui reads to a visiting school group

The Library was founded in January 2014 by a group of friends who live in the Fez Medina, to encourage a love of reading among local children. It has books in Arabic, French and some in English. It is a non-profit association and depends entirely on private donations to cover the costs of books, librarian staffing, rent, and operating expenses.

One of the regular library users is Sabrine, who is 11 years old. "The Medina Children's Library is the first library I have ever been in. It is in my neighbourhood, so it is easy for me to be there every day. This library made me love reading and discover a lot of useful books."

The library holds regular story time activities, hosts visits from school classes, holds occasional craft workshops, and runs excursions to significant sites in the Fez medina, so local children can further discover the heritage of their ancient city.

Kawtar, who is 7 years old, visits the Library every day. "The library is my special place," she says. "I like to go to there because there are a lot of books that I like and a lot of activities like story time."

Samia has a BA in English Literature. She says, "When I was a child there was no opportunity to read books...The (Medina Children's) Library is very important to the local community. The children love the Library and the books we have. Parents trust us - when they send their child to the Library, they feel they are in a safe world."

The View From Fez is a sponsor of the Medina Children's Library, and encourages donations to this worthwhile cause. 100% of donations will go towards the Library. To make a donation via PayPal, please visit the Medina Children's Library website. CLICK HERE.

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Amazigh Language - a Three Step Introduction

While the parliamentary session almost coming to an end, the General Secretariat of the Government has finally released the draft law to empower the Amazigh language. The head of government and all ministers have received a copy

An Amazigh child writes in Tifinagh, the script of Tamazight

This project adopts the principle of progressive implementation of the Amazigh language as an official language of the kingdom. The plan includes three major steps.

A first step over five years will be devoted to the gradual introduction of the language at all levels of basic education, as well as being included in the struggle against illiteracy. During this period, the speeches, the royal messages and official statements will be broadcast on Amazigh TV and radio.

A second 10-year period will be devoted to the generalisation of the Amazigh in colleges and high schools and will also see the introduction of courses at the tertiary level. In addition, an official journal is to be created by the parliament where the texts will be published in Arabic and Amazigh languages ​​and all official documents (identity card, driving license, passport etc.) will include data in Amazigh .

The third period, spanning 15 years, will see the widespread use of the Amazigh language in all public facilities and services, with all documents being written in both official languages.

The Amazigh languages and dialects have had a written tradition, on and off, for over 2,200 years, although the tradition has been frequently disrupted by invasions. They were first written in the Tifinagh alphabet, still used by the Tuareg. The oldest dated inscription is from about 200 BCE. Later, between about 1000 CE and 1500 CE, they were written in the Arabic script, and since the 20th century in the Amazigh (Berber) Latin alphabet, especially among the Kabyle and Riffian communities of Morocco and Algeria. The Berber Latin alphabet was also used by most European and Amazigh linguists during the 19th and 20th centuries.

A modernised form of the Tifinagh alphabet was made official in Morocco in 2003.

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Will Barack Obama Visit Fez?

The Moroccan rumour mill is working overtime with whispers that the American President may soon visit Morocco. This follows on from Michelle Obama's recent trip to Marrakech

 King Mohammed VI, Nov. 22, 2013, in the Oval Office of the White House

The rumours about Barack Obama visiting Morocco started in Rabat when it was suggested that several "American tourists" staying at the Sofitel were not quite like most visitors.

According to the newspaper, Akhir Saâ, these "tourists" are in fact members of a special US security unit that prepare the ground work for visits by top members of the US administration.

It is understood that the officers conducted inspection tours in Rabat and Fes.

This has led to speculation that the President will make a flying visit. One thing is for certain, if Barack Obama visits Fez he will certainly get a very warm welcome. The View From Fez will certainly have some fresh mint ready to make the President a glass of tea!

Michelle Obama's trip resulted in substantial funding of education for young girls.

Michelle Obama and Princess Lalla Salma in Marrakech

The “Let Girls Learn” initiative, launched in March 2015 by President Barack Obama and the first lady, is to be extended to Morocco, the White House announced Tuesday. The Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. government foreign aid agency working in partnership with the Moroccan government, is investing nearly $100 million to transform secondary education in the country. USAID is also giving $400,000 to create five new girls’ dormitories to improve educational opportunities for girls from rural areas.

“The investment in an education now will reap benefits in years to come and that is what my family knew instinctively,” the first lady said. “My parents didn’t go to university. We didn’t have a lot of money. But one of the things … was that my parents understood the value of an education. And they fought for me, they sacrificed, they saved.”

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Minister of Education Fires Another Salvo in the English Debate

At a study day organised by the Faculty of Science and Technology in Settat, the Minister for Higher Education for Scientific Research and Training, Lahcen Daoudi, said that any student who does not study English was "digging their own grave"

Students are "digging their own grave"

English is the language of science, of aviation, computers, diplomacy, and tourism. And most Moroccan acknowledge that English increases the chances of getting a good job. Yet, despite an ongoing debate, students appear reluctant to take up the challenge.

Lahcen Daoudi, who has been a longtime advocate for importance of English, said he was unsatisfied with the lack of interest among students in studying this language. He admitted his “call has not yet had its effect.”

The minister also stressed the need to promote and modernise the Moroccan universities, calling on the regional councils to play a role. Concerning higher education fees, Daoudi said that the wealthy should pay for their studies, because not doing so is “unjust and does not serve social justice in Morocco”.

Back in 2014, Lahcen Daoudi came out strongly in favour of adopting English in the education system. “students who want to have access to science departments at Moroccan universities must be proficient in English,’’ Daoudi said and declared that the ministry’s policy of adopting the French Baccalaureate in the country was “a dubious solution”, to Morocco’s ailing education system, explaining that “French is no longer useful”.

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Moroccan Students to Plant 50,000 Trees

By 2017, school students in the Casablanca-Settat region will be involved in an environmental protection project that should see the planting of 50,000 trees

"A tree for each student"

This operation, which is part of an ongoing project initiated by the ministry several years ago under the motto "a tree for each student", is intended to strengthen awareness regarding the dangers of climate change.

During the last 20 years, 90% of the 6,457 natural disasters were caused by floods, storms, heat waves, and drought - all related to weather events, according to a report from the UN Office for Disaster Reduction.

The office estimates that the real cost of disasters is between 250 and 300 billion dollars per year. Similarly, according to the centre for research on the epidemiology of disasters, more than 600,000 people died and 4.1 million others have been victims disaster or were homeless following disasters caused by climatic events.

According to Amadou Idrissa Bokoye, science climate expert for the environment, Africa stands out as the continent most vulnerable to natural hazards, and where the repercussions of these are often the most significant. Between 1980 and 2008, natural disasters killed about 25,000 deaths per year and 320 million affected over this time in Africa.

Floods alone have killed dozens of Moroccans in the past two years

The tree planting project in Casablanca-Settat comes on the eve of the COP22 conference to be held in Morocco.  Students will not only plant trees, but will better understand the issue of climate change. Each student will take care of the tree they plant and follow its evolution throughout their school career with the aim of enhancing awareness of the need to protect forests and biodiversity and develop eco-friendly behaviour.

Since the project began back in 2008, 80,000 trees have been planted in schools

Despite the existence of some historic green spaces Casablanca, such as the Park of the Arab League, the ISESCO Park (Ex Murdoch garden) or the Hermitage, the total area of green spaces (nearly 5m2 / person) remains well below the World Health Organisation recommendation (20m2 / capita).

The operation "a tree to each student" also complements the efforts of all stakeholders, including elected officials and civil society, and aim to increase the green areas in the region.

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A Win for English is a Win for Morocco

According to Rachid Belmokhtar, the Minister of National Education and Vocational Training, Moroccan students will begin studying English, as a part of a newly enhanced language curriculum. Experts say this is a positive step for Morocco

“For Moroccans today, the English language is an important goal. The ministry of education has implemented an important program which will begin in primary school and teach English language to students.” - Rachid Belmokhtar

In a recent article in Morocco World News,  Ali Anthony Bell, the  Head of Studies at the BKHS Language Centre in Casablanca stressed the importance of English in Morocco's future development.

"We are faced with a dilemma here in Morocco." Bell said,  "85% of Moroccans surveyed believe that English should replace French as the 2nd language; however, the Cultural, Economic, and Political ties with France and the French language are so strong that this change is difficult for many people to imagine.

While I completely agree with the importance of making English a priority and integrating it into the primary school curriculum, I do not agree that English should replace French as L2. In my opinion, eliminating French will do more harm than good, also creating a communication gap between the generations.

Bell says it is his sincere belief that Morocco, for the sake of its future, should make English a priority and start including it as of the first year, alongside, and not in competition with Arabic or French. Keeping one’s roots is also essential. All of the languages spoken in Morocco are a part of its identity, and replacing one language with another in the educational system, would be a fundamental error. English should not be a replacement for either French or Arabic, or even Amazigh for that matter; it is a complementary language skill.

Bell points out that there are some 25,000 common words between French and English, 99% of which mean the same thing. This is another reason for keeping the French language alive in Morocco; it can only help in the acquisition of the English language for many people.

He goes on to say that every new language we speak opens new possibilities, and likewise, our possibilities are limited by our languages. We are called to expand the limits of our horizons to encompass the whole world, and English is the only language which has this possibility. For the next generation, and for the future of the planet, let us make global communication a priority.

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32% of the Moroccan population is still illiterate

The Head of Government, Abdelilah Benkirane, has called for raising the level of institutional coordination and joint action in order to succeed in the fight against illiteracy

Chairing the Board of Directors of the National Agency Against Illiteracy,  in Rabat, he noted that the illiteracy rate remains high in Morocco, affecting about 32% of the total population.

"Illiteracy is an obstacle that hinders the economic growth of our country and prevents us from taking advantage of real opportunities that can improve the indices of this growth. The scale of the problem goes beyond simple economic calculations to touch the development of intellectual capital based on the building rights, enabling target groups to benefit from their constitutional right of access to an education that guarantees social inclusion and a dignified life" - Abdelilah Benkirane

The number of beneficiaries of the struggle against illiteracy programs during 2014-2015 reached 747,000 people, an increase of 20% compared to the previous year.

The ongoing project aims to reduce average illiteracy to less than 5% by 2024, by eradicating illiteracy among young people aged 15 to 24 years and by improving the skills of the illiterate or semi-illiterate workforce.


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A Majority of Moroccans Want English as Second Language

For months the debate about  linguistic identity has raged in Morocco. The tussle is between French, the English, with clear lines between those who favour retaining what they describe as the "language of history and the protectorate" and English, the language of "science and civilisation" 

The politicians have been vocal in the debate with Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, expressing his desire to give English prime importance in the educational system and to become the second language after the Arabic.  The Minister of Higher Education, Lahcen Daoudi, has repeatedly stressed of English in the scientific disciplines, saying "We are obliged to gain proficiency in English" .

According to a recent poll by the Hespress newspaper, the overwhelming majority of voters want English over French in Morocco's educational system in Morocco.

The results of the poll of  41,526  people saw the support rate for English at 85.98 with only 14.02 percent of respondents wanting to keep French.

Dr Abdel Kader Fassi Fihri

International expert in the field of  linguistics, Dr Abdel Kader Fassi Fihri, says the result was"good news", because it reflects the awareness of Moroccan citizens in regard to the choice of foreign language, and the language of education in particular.

Fassi Fihri stressed that English, "being the universal language, is the language of trading and if you want to reach out to the world or want to move between one region and another, even in the Arab countries or  China, you need English. "

He also pointed out that English is the global language of science and scientific journals internationally are all indexed in English.

Dr Abdel Kader Fassi Fihri noted that "English has become the first language in Europe.  For example, in Spain, Germany, Portugal, and France the first other language is English," adding that he "You only find  French as the first foreign language in some African countries, which were a colony of France and Belgium."

According to Morocco World News, Moroccans have become more outspoken about the importance of switching the country’s education system from French to English. For the majority of them, as it is the case with the sample surveyed by Arabic-speaking news website Hespress, French is limiting their access to knowledge and economic opportunities. Even Moroccan officials have expressed on numerous occasions the importance of adopting English over French within the Moroccan educational system. For the head of government Abdelilah Benkirane, for instance, English is the language of today’s science, technology and commerce.

However, there are still people in Morocco who fiercely lobby for French to be kept the first foreign language of the country. Their efforts have yielded results as the Supreme Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research is said to be reconsidering earlier recommendations to replace French with English in the Moroccan curriculum. The new recommendations, if adopted, will be included in the Supreme Council’s Strategic Report to be submitted to King Mohammed VI.

The council headed by Omar Azziman, an advisor to King Mohammed VI, is said to have ordered the formation of a sub-committee to review the proposal of replacing French with English, a proposal already hailed by many members of the Council’s Permanent Committee on Curriculum, Programs, Training and Teaching tools in earlier sessions.

As one school teacher in Fez summed up, "The longer we take to make the switch to English, the longer we limit Morocco's possibilities."

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Improbable Meetings at Morocco's National Library

The long weekend of 9-10 and 11 October at the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat will showcase unlikely encounters between: city dwellers and artists, musicians and artisans from the High Atlas Mountains

Ayt Bou Oulli

The meetings will be on several levels. For example, the Al Boughaz Association from Tangier has paired up with  an association of the valley of the Ayt Bou Oulli - the Anegbi Abachkou Association of Central High Atlas - and have worked together on a project and exhibition of Ibn Battuta frescoes recalling his "extraordinary journey in the valley the Ayt Bou Oulli ".  The artworks have  been developed by the children of the valley schools and children from schools in Tangier throughout the school year 2015-2016.

Ait Bou Oulli is a small town and rural commune in Azilal Province of the Tadla-Azilal region of Morocco. The commune had a total population of 9493.

Ibn Battuta's extraordinary journey in the valley the Ayt Bou Oulli 

In a similar fashion  carpet weavers from Ayt Bou Oulli will work alongside those from urban Rabat Salé and  group of singers and dancers the Ahwach from the valley of Ayt Bou Oulli will perform with a choir from Rabat.

The work of carpet weavers from the valley of Ayt Bou Oulli

There will also be poetry and demonstrations of weaving as well as debates  on sustainable development and, importantly, the language struggle between Arabic and  Darija.

The debate over language  should be of great interest. It takes place on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 9.30 am. The tussle between Arabic and Darija is a hot topic, particularly in education, where for a long time a child's mother tongue - Amazigh or Darija - was ignored in favour of Arabic (Fosha).

Mother tongue is the language in which the mother brought her child to the symbolic, namely the power to name things and objects. It is now recognised that loss of the mother tongue has a very negative effect. It produces what is termed "language castration" which can result in diminished ability to access poetry, literature and storytelling.

Darija is the vernacular, spoken by the people. It is not written, so is undisciplined by a grammar and rules and thus free to evolve, adapt, and create new words, It is the living testimony to the creativity of the people.

Arabic Fosha (or classical Arabic) is primarily a written language with grammatical rules were set by the Persian Sibawaih in his book Al Kitab, which is indicative of the trend of "the defeated" to adopt and defend language of the "winners". It is the language controlled by the political elite, religious and economic classes, including the Ulama (literally "those who know"). This is the quintessential scholarly language, language of literature, poetry, diplomatic and administrative writings.

The full programme of the exhibitions and debates can be downloaded HERE

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Help Fill a School Bag - Charity Concert in Fez

You are invited to a concert with a purpose this Sunday, September 13. Donations of school supplies are sought for girls from the Center for Protection for Girls in Fez - many of whom will be attending school for the first time this year

Donations are needed in the form of new school supplies to fill around 24 school bags. Your donation will grant you entrance to the concert.

Ali Gala, from the ALC-ALIF Community Service Club, which is organising the drive for the school supplies, says, "We mainly need  pens (red, blue, black + green), pencils, coloured pencils, erasers, sharpeners, scissors, rulers, copybooks, and pencil cases."

Former resident of the Center for Protection of Girls, Hadja Tahini, says, "This is the first time many of the girls from the Center will be going to school, and there is only enough money to pay for them to attend - not for the things they will need. These girls have so little, compared to most people, and having new school supplies will mean a lot to them. Their education, and how they get on at school, is very important. The girls will need to leave the Center at 18 years old, and they won't be able to do much in future without an education."

If you aren't able to attend the concert, but would still like to donate, please see Ali Gala at the ALC Computer Lab. If you call him, he will be able to tell you what is most needed.

The Concert for School Supplies is on at Sunday, September 13 at 17.00 at the ALIF Riad. Your donation will grant you entrance.

To donate to the drive for school supplies, contact Ali Gala from the American Language Center and Arabic Language Institute on 0667741520.

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Creative Way to Start Libraries ~ Exchange a Book for a Concert Ticket

The novel idea of exchanging a book for a concert ticket is a concept dreamed up by Boultek in Casablanca. Named Dekhla b'ktab, the event takes place on on April 5th

Attend a concert and do a good deed at the same time is the idea of ​​Dekhla b'ktab ("entry with a book"), concert organised by the Boultek installed in the basement of the Casablanca Technopark . To attend the event, you must give a book. All books collected will be used to establish libraries in remote regions of Morocco.

The strategy has already proved its effectiveness. "Two libraries have already been installed with this concept, a Outat El Haj (region of Fez Boulemane) and another in a village near Guelmim," says Hamza Hachlaf, member of the rap group L'Bassline, who have invited 3 other groups to give free performances. "The idea is to make culture a social action lever," says the vocalist of L'Bassline.

L’Bassline (“The Misbehaved”) is one of the few hip-hop bands that aren’t inclined to mince their words. Formed in the conservative city of Fes in 2010, l’Bassline first became well-known for their single “Chayllah Système” in 2012

The other groups are scheduled include Kafline, who will open the concert, and Al Nasser. The programming and the concept are intended seduce fans of the Moroccan underground rap scene. It appears to work, despite minimal promotion. The first event was attended by more than 300 people.

Dekhla b'ktab, Boultek Technopark, Casablanca. April 5 at 16h.

Meanwhile, the new Medina Children's Library in Fez is booming! They are currently seeking donations for future improvements and running costs. Find out more here: Medina Children's Library

The Fez Medina Children's Library - can you help?

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Morocco's Language War Intensifies

The language of Shakespeare language of Molière - Will Morocco ever escape from the francophone influence? If so, it may be some time, as the brakes have been applied to the push for English

A recent decision by the Supreme Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research to replace French with English was generally welcomed as a major step in the fright direction for Morocco. It was praised by educators and tourist operators. Now, reactionary forces have moved in and put pressure on the Council to reconsidering their earlier recommendation.

According to Arabic news website Hespress, the Supreme Council, headed by Omar Azziman, an advisor to King Mohammed VI, is said to have ordered the formation of a sub-committee to review the proposal of replacing French with English, a proposal already hailed as a progressive move by many members of the Council’s Permanent Committee on Curriculum, Programs, Training and Teaching.

It is unclear as to Omar Azziman's personal position on the matter, but it appears he is having to balance opposing voices.

Supreme Council head Omar Azziman  

Certainly some subtle pressure is being applied but at this stage it is unclear where from. One can imagine that the recent rapprochement between France and Morocco may well have played a part. It is also conceivable that French diplomats expressed a collective "Quelle horreur - Pas de français? Inconcevable". Some reports confirm that the voices within the Council pushed for French to be kept as the first foreign language of the country mainly because of the French-Moroccan relations recently restored after a year-long diplomatic scrap.

Hespress added that Council members who are against the replacement of the French language with English are playing the card of Morocco’s strategic interests to further their claims. They are justifying their choice by saying that French holds a leading position in the Moroccan educational system and that French is the language of many African countries with whom Morocco tries to maintain strategic ties. It seems short sighted as French is already being replaced in some African countries.

According to Mohamed Belkhayat, writing for Morocco World News, African Francophonie is on its way out. Rwanda made the shift to English official in 2009, Gabon made a similar announcement in 2012 and Senegal made its intention known in 2013. While Morocco is dithering and debating the different languages to teach, countries around the world are taking bold positions to ensure the competitive future of their institutions and in particular their education systems. Italy has announced English as their language of higher learning in respected universities. The Gulf States are embracing English more and more throughout their educational cycle. After all, education is about preparing our youth for a competitive future in a world that is increasingly global. To such an end, English should be taught as a critical skill for today and tomorrow.

Indeed the Rwandan switch to English came about as the country was determined to attract foreign investment, switched to English. A member of the East African Community since 2007, Rwanda relies on increasing trade and movement of labor with Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania — its larger, more developed anglophone neighbours.

Eric Niyongabo, Rwanda’s acting director general of education explains that English is the language of the global business world — one in which Rwanda strives to be competitive. “When we look worldwide, English is spoken more than French,” he said. “Our children are going to travel the world, import and export. This is an economic issue. We don’t want them being isolated.”

"There is no alternative to English in Moroccan Universities.”-
Moroccan Minister of Higher Education, Lahcen Daoudi,

Moroccan Minister of Higher Education, Lahcen Daoudi, has been one of the strongest supporters of the call for English to be accorded more significance in the country’s educational system. Daoudi  has called for establishing new English courses in various disciplines in Moroccan universities,and, saying that the Ministry will provide the necessary support for such undertakings.

Daodui has stressed that English is the language of learning and teaching as well as the language of emerging and developing countries.

This not the first time the Moroccan Minister has made such a pronouncement in favour of promoting the presence of English in Morocco’s education system. In a conference held in Rabat last October, Daoudi said that “there is no alternative to English in Moroccan Universities.”

In Morocco the pro-English lobby has had strong support, including from many other Moroccan ministers who have issued statements on numerous occasions favouring the adoption of English over French within the Moroccan educational system.

“To be clear, in all Arab nations, we need the English language,” 
~ Moroccan PM Abdelilah Benkirane

As recently as last month even the Prime Minister, Abdelilah Benkirane, highlighted the importance of adopting English and using it in Moroccan schools.

“We all agree on teaching languages, and we have to teach our students to be excellent in both English and French,” he said. “If we have to choose, we will choose English because it is the language of today’s science, technology and commerce. To be clear, in all Arab nations, we need the English language.”

Social Media

Reaction on social media has been strongly in favour of a switch to English and critical of reactionary voices.

"Arabic first. English second. That is, if you want to be successful in the business world. Nobody honestly cares about France. Not at all"- Laabab

"English will always remain first on this planet..."- Nacer

"The French temple guards in Morocco will do their best to obey their Mom" - Abdellah

"How many of those council members speak English?"- Affaf

If this is to come out of the report...it will be very sad. There are obviously some people involved, who may need some binoculars to get a view beyond their village borders. This world is a dynamic element, to allow participating in this constant battle of being a part of the dynamic it is mandatory to adapt to changes, offer solutions and open doors for the future. Closing and locking the gates is not the solution - Agadir.

Dreams don't get achieved by wishful thinking. Nobody denies the monumental challenge that this switch represents, but the true character of a nation can only be determined by the nature of problems and challenges they choose to undertake. Sadly, our officials, yet again, have chosen the easy way out by shying away from this historic moment and opted for the comfort of the already existing useless French. This is one of those instances where the king should have set the goal and have them figure out how to achieve it because that's what needs to be done, instead he consulted with them about if it can be done - Xemocraxy

I can't wait for the switch. I gave up my dreams because of French. When I graduated from high school, I was so eager to continue my studies in Faculty of Sciences, but unfortunately, I found out that the studies are going to be in French, and I hated French. So, I went to study English in another university, and now if they switch the whole academic education in English, I'll be very pleased to study science in English -Arjdal

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French or English ~ Morocco's Language Debate Continues

The move to drop French as the second language in Morocco is gaining momentum. In recent times The View from Fez has been charting the groundswell of support to change to English. Back in January we reported that experts agreed that French as a second language has long been acknowledged as a major problem for Moroccan education, and the Education Minister's statement, "French is no longer valid, English is the solution" was greeted warmly by educators and the tourist industry.

Mohammed Belkhayat, the President of HMEMSA (Home of Moroccan Educators & Moroccan Students in America),  added his voice, saying, in an open letter to Morocco's Ministers of Education, "French is obsolete"

Now the Prime Minister, Benkirane, has weighed into the debate, calling for the adoption of English as the first foreign language in Morocco

Larbi Arbaoui, writing for Morocco World News says the Moroccan government is moving inexorably towards elevating English over French within the Moroccan educational system.

During the monthly political conference dedicated to the reform of education and training, the Head of the Government highlighted the importance of adopting English and using in it in Moroccan schools.

In a video posted on YouTube, Abdelilah Benkirane said that “we all agree on teaching languages, and we have to teach our students to be excellent at both English and French,” but he added, “if we have to choose, we will choose English because it is the language of today’s science, technology and commerce.”

“To be clear, in all Arab nations, we need the English language,” ~ Moroccan PM Abdelilah Benkirane.

Benkirane confirmed that Morocco and France have very “strong bonds that can’t be broken, but it is not our destiny to keep using French. Personally, I regret having not learned English very well because I need it the most during my official visits, even when I go to Saudi Arabia,” he added.

The Justice and Development party (PJD) wants “the Arabic language to remain the language of instruction at all levels” in Moroccan schools, and hopes that the Amazigh language, another official language in Morocco, can be “developed so that it can be fully integrated in education.”

The Strategic Report of the Supreme Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research, which will be submitted to King Mohammed VI soon, is recommending replacing French with English in Moroccan education.

French speaking residents in Fez were quick to point out that such a change would be a "generational" change, rather than something with immediate impact.  Bien sur!

Meanwhile...
Another language battle is underway; that between Arabic and Darija (the Moroccan dialect). A few days before the presentation of a report on education to King Mohammed VI, Benkirane warned of the dangers of introducing "Darija" in Moroccan schools saying it was a threat to the "throne" and "stability" of the country. The PJDiste claim that calls to integrate "Darija" in the pre-school curriculum are the work of people who speak French. "People," he said, "who have no connection with the case." He also added that "in the past, they tried to mount a conflict between the monarchy and the Amazigh, the second language Moroccans, but without real success."

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Children's Library in Fez Medina Opens its Doors

The Fez Medina Children's Library opened its doors yesterday and was immediately filled with children keen to read or be read to. 

It is a very positive sign for the library and hopefully the beginning of a renaissance of book reading in the Medina. The library urgently requires more books in Arabic, French and English. Please contact The View from Fez if you have books to donate.

The library will be open again today at 4pm. You can visit the library Facebook page HERE

The Medina Children's Library is a joint project of the Fes Association for the Children of the Medina and The View from Fez.

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