What measures should be taken to solve the problem of illiteracy in Morocco?
Uploaded by Hicham1993 on Oct 19, 2013
Illiteracy is a dark stain in our society. More than 50% of the population is still illiterate in Morocco. Because of illiteracy Morocco’s rank has decreased from 120 in 2007 to 138 in 2010 in human development index. Many efforts have been taken to reduce the rate of the problem but all of these efforts were not efficient enough to wipe out illiteracy. It is up the government and civil society associations as well as NGOs to take quick and efficient measures to make the half of the society able to read and write.
The first step should be taken to face illiteracy is setting efficient and clear policies that will reduce the percentage of the illiterate to at least 10% of the population. On the one hand, the government should conscientize people about the disastrous effects of illiteracy upon society and future generations. For instance, the ministry of education should promote education programs through mass media instead of spending huge amount of money in advertising. On the other hand, it is up the government to clean its administrations from corrupt officials that hinder the implementation of its policies. These officials are in fact responsible for the spread of illiteracy among Moroccans. However, legislating laws remains fruitless unless the government sets out to fulfill its obligations. This seems a heavy burden for the government but it is the first step towards solution.
Besides setting policies in dealing with the phenomenon, government and civil society associations should provide adequate mechanisms to combat illiteracy especially in rural areas. Since the rate of illiteracy is higher in rural areas than in urban areas we need first to connect our countrysides with cities by building roads and supplying them with electricity so that teachers can reach them. We need also to build centers specialized in teaching illiterates because current ordinary schools cannot provide good education for they are dedicated to school children and also are ill-equipped. However, teachers remain the cornerstone in this process. Providing highly-qualified and experienced teachers in dealing with the illiterate will serve a great deal to render the illiterate literates and intellectuals. These mechanisms could achieve tremendous results if done properly.
Solving the problem of school dropouts is the most efficient measure should be taken for the great majority of the interviewed illiterate say that they have dropped out of school or never entered school at all. We should...