With seven buses deployed in this rural commune, no less than 435 young girls and boys can easily reach the middle and high school benches of M’haya without worrying about the vagaries of the weather, insurmountable steep slopes or prohibitive distances.
For Safae Kaddouri, from the Social Action division at the Meknes prefecture, the 2024/2025 school year is an opportunity to highlight the efforts made by the Meknes prefecture to guarantee education for all, through its different interventions, particularly in the area of school transportation.
“A fleet of 82 school transport buses has been set up at the level of the Meknes prefecture to meet the needs of all rural local authorities for more than 6,400 students with a budget of around 30 million dirhams (MDH),” Ms. Kaddouri said in a statement to MAP.
The head of the DAS welcomed the concrete results obtained thanks to this intervention by the INDH in application of the high royal guidelines, noting an increase in school enrollment rates, a reduction in school dropouts and an improvement in the results of students from the rural world.
For Ms. Kaddouri, these results are also the fruit of the combined efforts of numerous stakeholders, namely the Prefectural Council of Meknes, the councils of local authorities, the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports and associations of civil society who are responsible for managing school buses.
The Association for the Development of School Transport in the commune of M’haya at the Lahcen Ben Mohamed Ben Mbarek high school is one of those civil society actors who contribute daily to efforts aimed at putting an end to school dropouts in rural areas.
For the treasurer of the association, Nabil Ourahou, since the launch of school transport in 2011 in the rural commune of M’haya thanks to the INDH, the situation has radically changed for students in the surrounding douars.
“We went from a girls’ schooling rate of 0% in 2010 in the neighboring douars to some 435 beneficiaries, including boys, today,” he rejoiced.
For Mr. Ourahou, the impact of school buses on middle and high school students in Lahcen Ben Mohamed Ben Mbarek makes them a lever for the development of schooling in rural areas.
Improving the school environment and schooling conditions is part of program 4 of the INDH to boost the human capital of rising generations, particularly axis 3 of this program relating to “support school and the fight against dropping out.
As part of this program, the INDH is working to expand the school transport offer by relying on the map of needs developed by the Regional Education and Training Academies, while identifying the provincial associations which will ensure human resources management, operation and maintenance of the vehicle fleet.
Who are the main stakeholders in the school transportation program, and how do they collaborate to improve educational access?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Safae Kaddouri, Social Action Division, Meknes Prefecture
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Safae. The Meknes prefecture has made significant strides in improving access to education in rural areas. Can you start by telling us about the school transportation initiatives you’ve implemented?
Kaddouri: Absolutely! We are thrilled to announce that for the 2024/2025 school year, we have deployed a fleet of 82 school transport buses to serve rural local authorities. This initiative enables more than 6,400 students to attend middle and high school in M’haya without having to face challenges like extreme weather, steep terrains, or long distances.
Editor: It sounds like a monumental effort! How does this transportation program impact student enrollment and dropout rates in these rural areas?
Kaddouri: The results have been promising. Since the initiation of this program, we’ve observed a notable increase in school enrollment rates and a considerable decline in dropout rates. Students from rural backgrounds are now more motivated to pursue their education, and many have reported improved academic achievements as a result.
Editor: That’s fantastic to hear. Could you walk us through the funding aspect of this initiative? How were these 30 million dirhams allocated for the transportation needs?
Kaddouri: Sure! The funding for this initiative comes from the government budget, specifically allocated through the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH). We carefully planned the budget to ensure we could meet the transportation needs effectively while maximizing the number of students served. This comprehensive approach allows us to provide reliable transportation, which we see as crucial for educational equity.
Editor: It seems there’s a collaborative effort at play here. Who are the key stakeholders involved in this initiative, and what roles do they play?
Kaddouri: Collaboration has been central to our success. The Prefectural Council of Meknes and various local authority councils play crucial roles, alongside the Ministry of Education. Each stakeholder contributes their expertise and resources, making it possible to create solutions that address the specific needs of our rural communities.
Editor: Understood. Lastly, what are your hopes for the future regarding educational access in rural areas?
Kaddouri: My hope is to continue building on the successes we’ve already achieved. We aim to further increase support for educational initiatives, ensuring that every child, regardless of their geographic location, has access to quality education. We believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering economic development in these communities.
Editor: Thank you, Safae. Your insights into the Meknes prefecture’s educational initiatives are genuinely inspiring. We hope to see continued progress in making education accessible for all.
Kaddouri: Thank you for having me. Together, we can make a difference!