Poverty hampers girls' education in Moroccan villages
Morocco's Supreme Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research has revealed in a recent report entitled ‘Gender equality in the education system’ worrying data on the impact of poverty on girls' education in the country's rural areas. According to the report, in these areas, school is considered more important for boys than for girls.
As a result, many poor families in rural areas do not invest in their daughters' academic future. Instead, they teach them to clean, cook and care for other family members, as well as agricultural activities.
The Council explained that many people in these areas believe that boys will be better able to support their parents in the future, while the girl child is seen as a future ‘housewife and mother within the family’.
In general, greater importance and value is placed on children's education. In cases where families do not have sufficient resources to educate all their children, they often give priority to boys. The report notes that, particularly in rural areas, the social bond is based on a hierarchical arrangement, in which girls are relegated to second place, while boys are given priority.
This is reflected in the school dropout rate, which among girls from rural families is 41.56% compared to 28.94% among boys.
The report also reveals that 13.79% of the women in charge of the family say that educating boys is more important than educating girls. The same opinion is shared by 9.49% of men.
Saeed, a primary school teacher in a rural school, told Al-Arab that many parents in these areas do not believe that studying benefits their daughters, so they prefer to teach them household chores and find a husband for them.
To address this problem, the Ministry of Primary Education has launched the Tayseer programme, which aims to encourage education among children, especially girls. Launched in September 2008, this initiative aims to reduce school dropout rates by providing a monthly subsidy estimated at 140 dirhams per pupil.
In addition to this government programme, there are other associations such as ‘For the Education of Rural Girls’ which has contributed to the integration of dozens of girls in various regions of the Kingdom.
This organisation considers that the cause of girls dropping out of school is due to the weak educational infrastructure and the remoteness of educational institutions in some regions, in addition to the cultural problem.
To provide opportunities for girls, the association provides various services such as food, accommodation, books, notebooks, school supplies, educational support, recreational and cultural activities, as well as scholarships.
Experts urge the authorities to create policies that prevent rural girls from dropping out of education, especially those who face poverty and a family system that prioritises boys' education.