Brussels, 17/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 8 September, the European Commission and Morocco signed a financing agreement for a €17 million programme to support implementation of the national strategy against illiteracy in Morocco. This four-year support programme, signed in early September by the Commission's delegate in Rabat, aims to improve the living conditions and economic participation of the beneficiary public that is made up of illiterate adults between 16 and 35 years of age, especially women, in 10 regional education and training academies where illiteracy is particularly prevalent. The Commission delegation in Rabat specifies that the programmes set in place by Morocco should allow the rate of illiteracy to be reduced annually by 3% and support the socio-professional future of beneficiaries, including through the adjustment of support to their needs, the validation and certification of what has been acquired from the training given, and the organisation of prospects for socio-professional insertion (including the promotion of activities that generate income, the setting in place of adequate bridges between the various sectors concerned, etc)
According to the local press, nearly 10 million Moroccans are still illiterate today, over one million children aged 8-15 do not receive schooling and 225,000 children drop out of school each year. Illiteracy affects 38.5% of the population aged 10 years and over, according to statistics published in May 2007 by the secretariat of state responsible for literacy and non-formal education. (F.B./transl.jl)