Mr. Salah Eddine Mezouar, Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Ahmed Akhchichine, Minister of Education, Higher Education, Executive Training and Scientific Research, Mr. Bruno Dethomas, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation in Rabat, signed, on September 8th, 2008, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Economy and Finance a financing agreement to implement a support plan for literacy Program. The budget allocated for this four-year plan amounts to ? 17 million (MD 192 million). This Support Plan is meant to last for four years.
In his speech, Mr. Mezouar underlined the importance of the Education sector and explained that combating illiteracy is a top priority on the Government Agenda.
Mr. Mezouar explained that this agreement which matches with the International Day for Ending Illiteracy will give further impetus to the illiteracy eradication program planned for this purpose.
For his part, Mr.Dethomas, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Rabat, the EU endorsement of Morocco`s illiteracy eradication program is meant to improve the living conditions of the targeted population sections, and enhance their integration into the socio-economic fabric.
Mr. Dethomas maintained that the programs in place should result in a 3% annual decrease in the illiteracy rate through targeting poor areas and giving priority to people aged between 16 and 35. This objective could be reached through raising awareness campaigns and establishing a comprehensive policy that combines, in a complementary and balanced approach, various illiteracy eradication programs.
Mr. DETHOMAS emphasized that this project complements other educational programmes to which the EU has allocated MD 1 million.
In his turn, Mr. Akhchichine highlighted the size of this plan in terms of finance, expertise and consulting. He believes that this plan, which is a structuring and support tool well suited for the objectives and expectations regarding illiteracy eradication programmes, should serve as an opportunity to reestablish the entire strategy and review its priorities.
In fact, support plans for Morocco`s illiteracy eradication programmes are meant to secure the future socio-professional interests of beneficiaries, this will be achieved through addressing their needs and certifying their achievements, as well as exploring prospects for employment. Support plans also aim at reinforcing piloting and following up procedures of illiteracy eradication programmes, increasing the intervention capacity of NGOs involved in this action, and improving pedagogy in all its aspects, namely learning abilities and methods teaching.
Mrs Latifa ABIDA, under secretary in charge of Primary and secondary education at the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education, Executive Training and Scientific Research, was present to this ceremony.