The Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa, reported Monday in Rabat on the mobilization of 2.6 billion dirhams intended for the rehabilitation of schools in 2022 and programmed within the framework of the budgets of Regional Education and Training Academies (AREF).
In his response to an oral question in the House of Representatives on “The rehabilitation of school infrastructure”, he assured that his department pays particular attention to the rehabilitation of school establishments, especially in rural and peri-urban areas, noting an increase the number of classes of around 5,732 units during the 2019-2020 school year, which brings their total number today to 161,169 classes.
The Minister specified, on this register, that 1,452 classes were rehabilitated, mostly based in rural areas, in addition to the drinking water supply or the installation of water fountains in 1,168 schools. and the connection to the electricity network or the installation of photovoltaic panels for the benefit of 839 schools. Added to this, the establishment of sanitary facilities in 1,330 schools and walls at 6,467 others.
Chakib Benmoussa also indicated that the ministry is continuing the replacement of prefabricated classrooms, especially those containing asbestos.
Referring, moreover, to the program to reduce territorial and social disparities in the rural world, he reported the rehabilitation of 1,402 schools, including 1,151 completely rebuilt since the effective launch of this program in 2017, stressing that his department is working in consultation with all stakeholders at the regional and provincial levels, partners in this program or within the framework of partnership agreements with the regions.
On the register of the materialization of the “Awrach” program, the Minister indicated that the upkeep and maintenance of educational establishments are now included in the framework of temporary general projects, in consideration of the needs of establishments and according to priorities, announcing the launch of an emergency rehabilitation program for existing schools and boarding schools for the years 2022 and 2023.
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