Location
Morocco
Kenitra province and Berrechid
Beneficiaries
450
pupils and adults
Period
2024 - 2026
22 months
Context:
Despite the national strategy to expand preschool education that increased the enrolment rate for 4 to 5 years old to over 78%, profound disparities remain: disadvantaged peri-urban neighbourhoods and rural areas remain marginalised, with few spaces suitable for early childhood education and reading due to their geographical distance from large cities. These areas also lag furthest behind in terms of progress towards gender equality, with more entrenched social discrimination against girls.
Numbers show the urgent need to take action from early childhood onwards to give every child – and especially every girl – the same opportunities to learn and flourish. Education and awareness-raising in rural areas are a priority in the fight against long-term social and economic inequalities. Not only does access to quality pre-school education increase academic success for all children and ensure they have a solid start in life, but raising awareness of girls' education also enables girls and those around them to evolve in line with social norms, while creating a more supportive, inclusive and cohesive school environment.
Not only does access to quality pre-school education increase academic success for all children and ensure they have a solid start in life, but raising awareness of girls' education also enables girls and those around them to evolve in line with social norms, while creating a more supportive, inclusive and cohesive school environment.
Project description:
Child Step complements the national initiative by focusing on these vulnerable areas to promote a more inclusive and high-quality expansion of early years education, with the aim of fostering a love of learning in young children.
Specific objectives:
• Training for educators: 8 educators trained in innovative teaching methods that inspire a love of reading;
• Preschool education: provides quality education to 360 children aged 3 to 6 from low-income families;
• Literacy program for mothers: 50 mothers participate in a literacy program;
• Parent awareness: 150 parents participate in awareness sessions, reinforcing the role of education in children’s development and family empowerment;
• Empowering mothers: mothers are involved in monitoring their children’s schooling through a functional literacy and community awareness program.
Key Themes:
Education
Early Childhood
Equality
CARE Belgium supports the project in collaboration with other members of the CARE network, in particular through communication and fundraising activities.