Morocco’s Education Secretary, Latifa El Abida, joined with representatives of the education sector and the U.S. Mission to launch USAID’s Moroccan ITQANE education project on April 29th. The event received broad coverage in Morocco’s media. Mrs. El Abida emphasized the Ministry’s and her own personal commitment to this new USAID project. American Ambassador Samuel Kaplan drew strong applause when he underscored that the U.S.’s new relationship with the Arab world is one of partnership instead of aid.

The project’s name, ITQANE, stands for Improving Training for Quality Advancement in National Education. In Arabic, the word itqane means “mastery” or “precision.” The four-year project will provide technical assistance, training, grants and materials needed to improve education quality in middle schools in Morocco. The Ministry of National Education’s Teacher Training Institutes will be supported in providing school leaders with essential pre-service and in-service teacher training to promote education quality. ITQANE also aims to decrease middle school dropout rates and increase the number of ninth graders graduating with portable and adaptable skills. This project, per USAID’s current five-year strategic plan, is being piloted in the Fez-Boulemane and Doukala-Abda regions. ITQANE is being implemented by Creative in partnership with Morocco’s Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane and the International Youth Foundation.

ITQANE’s chief of party, Dr. Christina N’tchougan-Sonou, presented the project’s components. Mr. Mohammed Dali, Director for the Ministry’s Central Unit for Professional Training, spoke on “Education and its place in the Emergency Program: Opportunities and Challenges.” Two round table discussions on teacher education and training of school leaders generated recommendations for project implementation.

An exposition highlighted training documents, posters, and videos from previous USAID education projects. USAID’s investments in support of Morocco’s commitment to education include: Advancing Learning and Employability for Better Future (ALEF, 2005-2009), Basic Education Policy Support (BEPS, 2004-2005), National Education Accounts (NEA, 2004-2005), Morocco Education for Girls (MEG, 1999-2004) and Training for Development (TFD, 1996-1999).