Higher Education Partnership–Morocco

The challenge

The Kingdom of Morocco seeks to improve education within its borders to create an internationally competitive education system that, in the words of King Mohammed VI, “responds to the needs of the modern economy, to promote scientific research and innovation and to create a culture of a knowledge economy and communication” — part of the kingdom’s Strategic Vision 2015–2030. Technology provides creative ways for institutions to work together globally in preparing educators for the teaching and learning needed for young children; and in implementing new models of teacher preparation with a systemic approach that provides for institutionalization and sustainability.

The approach

During a five year period, Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College will work with Morocco’s Ministry of Education, universities within the kingdom and teacher training institutions, with the aid of experienced technical assistance and private sector agencies, to form the Higher Education Partnership–Morocco.

Other Higher Education Partnership–Morocco partners are:

• Creative Associates International — providing technical assistance in developing strands for teaching reading in Arabic as part of the primary teaching degree
• The OCP Group — supporting convenings and the development of a national-scale learning management system and collaboration platform in partnership with the Morocco Ministry of Education

Higher Education Partnership–Morocco partners will support Moroccan faculty in enhancing primary teacher preparation through a comprehensive, systems approach that bestows an undergraduate degree (license) in primary teaching and associated two year training intended to equip teacher candidates with the skills necessary to succeed in a primary classroom (qualifications). The degree will reference international standards in inclusive education and will pay particular attention to issues of gender equity. The partnership will operate as a consultative and oversight body that deploys research and development groups to implement tasks, and through which Higher Education Partnership–Morocco will build the systems redesign and relationships that will sustain impact beyond the life of this five-year activity. Funding for Higher Education Partnership–Morocco comes from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Findings and impact

Higher Education Partnership–Morocco is funded from Sept. 2019 to Sept. 2024. After five years, a continuing partnership between MLFTC and the alliance will remain to share in research and education workforce design.