Morocco is grappling with a rising school dropout rate, particularly in rural areas. In an effort to address this issue, the Orange Maroc Foundation has announced plans to equip 55 new schools with digital tools for the 2024-2025 school year, as part of the second phase of its “Digital Schools” program. The announcement was made on Thursday during the launch of the project’s expansion.
“This program aims to democratize access to digital technologies in rural primary schools, ensuring equal learning opportunities for all students, regardless of their location. Strengthening our partnership with the Ministry of National Education reaffirms our commitment to supporting the Kingdom in the successful digital transformation of Moroccan schools,” said Hind Lfal, Secretary General of Orange Maroc.
Launched in 2022 in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, the program provides digital equipment such as computers for teachers, tablets for students, and online educational resources. It is designed to improve learning conditions in rural areas, where access to modern educational tools is often limited.
This initiative aligns with Orange Maroc’s broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, aimed at promoting digital inclusion and reducing school dropout rates. According to the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, 249,458 students dropped out of school during the 2022/2023 academic year, with 45.5% of those students from rural areas. UNESCO estimates that the economic impact of this issue costs Morocco $196 million annually.
In the upcoming phase, 55 more schools will be equipped, 200 teachers will receive training, and 17,000 students will benefit. Since its inception, the program has already digitized 16 rural schools, benefiting over 4,000 students and 30 teachers.