In an effort to combat the rising trend of school dropouts in rural Morocco, the Orange Maroc Foundation announced on Thursday its plans to expand the “Digital Schools” program. Set to outfit 55 new schools with computer equipment for the 2024-2025 school year, this initiative marks the second phase of a project aimed at democratizing access to digital education in rural primary schools.
Hind Lfal, Secretary General of Orange Maroc, emphasized the program’s goal to ensure equal learning opportunities for all students. “By strengthening our partnership with the Ministry of National Education, we underscore our dedication to aiding Morocco’s successful digital transformation in education,” Lfal stated during the program’s launch.
Initiated in 2022 alongside the Ministry of National Education, the Digital Schools project equips educational institutions with essential digital tools, including computers for teachers, tablets for students, and a range of online educational resources. This strategic move is designed to enhance the educational experience in remote areas, which are often deprived of modern educational facilities.
Aligned with Orange Maroc’s corporate social responsibility strategy, this initiative not only promotes digital inclusion but also addresses the significant dropout rates affecting rural regions. The Moroccan Ministry of National Education reported that 249,458 students dropped out in the 2022/2023 school year, nearly half of whom were from rural areas. The economic toll of school dropouts in Morocco is estimated by UNESCO to be around $196 million annually.
With the expansion of the Digital Schools program, an additional 55 schools will receive new equipment, 200 teachers will undergo specialized training, and approximately 17,000 students will gain access to improved educational resources. To date, the initiative has already digitized 16 rural schools, benefiting more than 4,000 students and 30 teachers.
