Age-Wise Education System in Morocco (2025 Guide for Parents & Students)

Morocco’s education system is structured by age group and has seen notable progress in expanding access, improving literacy, and increasing enrollment across all levels—from preschool to higher education. Preschool enrollment now stands at 78.7%, while primary and lower secondary education, both compulsory, have enrollment rates exceeding 95%, with marked gains in rural areas and among girls. Upper secondary and tertiary education also show improvement, with secondary enrollment at 89.8% and tertiary at 47.71%, where women now outnumber men.

Major reforms, such as the 2022–2026 roadmap and the “Pioneering Institutions” program, aim to enhance quality, governance, and inclusivity. Despite significant investments (6.02% of GDP in 2023), challenges remain, including urban-rural disparities, low educational quality, teacher shortages, language barriers, and socio-economic inequalities. Adult education initiatives and a drop in illiteracy from 32.2% in 2014 to 24.8% in 2024 reflect broader efforts to ensure lifelong learning and national development.

Education in Morocco: A Comprehensive Overview by Age Group

Morocco’s education system is a dynamic landscape, continuously evolving to meet the needs of its young population and the demands of a globalized world. Structured in a progressive manner based on age, it aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience from early childhood to advanced academic pursuits. Recent years have seen significant reforms and increased investment, though challenges persist, particularly in ensuring equitable access and quality across all regions.

1. Preschool (Éducation Préscolaire)

Age: 4 to 6 years

Type: Non-compulsory, but increasingly emphasized and integrated into the formal system.

Purpose: Prepares children for primary education by developing foundational cognitive, social, and emotional skills. It aims to reduce disparities in learning readiness.

Institutions: Both public kindergartens (known as Maternales or Jardin d’enfants) and private institutions operate. Public preschools are being expanded, particularly in rural areas, often with support from initiatives like the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH).

Key Data (2023-2024 Academic Year):

• Preschool enrollment has reached a noteworthy 78.7%, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year, totaling 951,596 preschool students.
• Urban areas show a higher enrollment rate (66.8%) compared to rural areas (56.9%).
• The government has allocated significant funds (e.g., MAD 2 billion or $181.5 million in 2023) to expand access to preschool.

2. Primary Education (Enseignement Primaire)

Age: 6 to 12 years

Grades: 1st to 6th grade

Duration: 6 years

Compulsory: Yes, forming the first part of the nine-year compulsory basic education.

Curriculum: A broad curriculum covers Arabic, French (introduced early and crucial for later stages), mathematics, Islamic education, history, geography, and science. The focus is on developing literacy, numeracy, and foundational knowledge.

Key Data:

• Enrollment of children aged 6 to 11 in school has increased from 94.5% to 95.8% (2023/2024 school year).
• Notably, the rate of school attendance for girls in this age group in rural areas rose from 93.9% to 95.9%. Overall, girls’ attendance has increased from 90% to 95.1%.
• Despite high enrollment, a significant challenge remains in the quality of education; as of 2019, 66% of 10-year-olds in Morocco were not able to read and comprehend a simple text, a score lower than the MENA regional average.

3. Lower Secondary (Collège or Enseignement Collégial)

Age: 12 to 15 years

Grades: 7th to 9th grade

Duration: 3 years

Compulsory: Yes, completing the nine-year compulsory basic education.

Curriculum: Expands upon primary education, including Arabic, French, mathematics, science, Islamic education, history, geography, technology, and typically a second foreign language (usually English). Students sit for the Brevet d’Enseignement Collégial upon completion.

Key Data (2023-2024 Academic Year): The secondary school phase (including lower and upper secondary) saw the largest surge in student numbers, standing at 1,918,691, a 4.25% rise compared to the prior year.

4. Upper Secondary (Lycée or Enseignement Secondaire Qualifiant)

Age: 15 to 18 years

Grades: 10th to 12th grade

Duration: 3 years

Types:

• General Stream: Offers specializations in Science (Physics, Life and Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences), Literature, and Humanities.
• Technical and Vocational Streams: Provides specialized training in various fields, preparing students for specific trades or technical professions.
• Diploma: The Baccalauréat (high school diploma) is the gateway to higher education.

Note: While not compulsory, a large proportion of students continue to this level.

Key Data (2023):

• Secondary school enrollment was approximately 89.80%.
• The percentage of people aged 25 and older with at least a high school education increased from 30% to 39.1% in 2024. However, a gender gap exists, with 45.7% of men aged 25 or above having at least a high school education compared to 32.7% of women.

5. Higher Education (Université and Other Institutions)

Age: 18+

Types:

• Universities: Offer Bachelor’s (License, typically 3 years), Master’s (2 years), and PhD (3+ years) degrees.
• Grandes Écoles: Highly selective and prestigious institutions specializing in fields like engineering, business, and management.
• Technical/Vocational Institutes: Provide specialized training and diplomas, often focused on practical skills for various industries.
• Language of Instruction: Varies significantly. Arabic is prevalent, but French is widely used, especially in science, engineering, and business disciplines. English is increasingly being adopted, particularly in STEM fields and international programs.

Key Data (2023):

• Tertiary school enrollment was approximately 47.71%.
• The female to male ratio for students at the tertiary level was 1.15 in 2023, indicating a higher proportion of female students in higher education.
• Graduates in science and engineering constituted 27.23% of total graduates in 2022.

Adult and Non-Formal Education

Focus: This sector is crucial for addressing historical disparities and promoting lifelong learning. It includes:

• Literacy Programs: National campaigns are actively conducted, especially targeting rural areas and women, to reduce the overall illiteracy rate.
• Vocational Training: Programs designed to equip adults with new skills or enhance existing ones, improving employability.
• Continuing Education: Opportunities for individuals to further their knowledge and skills throughout their lives.

Key Data (2024 Census):

• Morocco’s illiteracy rate has decreased from 32.2% in 2014 to 24.8% in 2024.
• Women have seen a notable improvement, with their illiteracy rate dropping from 42.1% to 32.4%.
• In rural areas, the illiteracy rate decreased from 47.5% to 38%.
• Illiteracy tends to increase with age, with 51% of Moroccans over 50 unable to read or write, compared to just 1.6% among children under 15.

Recent Reforms and Initiatives

Morocco has embarked on significant educational reforms, notably the 2022-2026 roadmap for education reform. This roadmap focuses on:

• Improving governance: Enhancing the efficiency and accountability of the education system.
• Boosting stakeholder engagement: Encouraging broader participation in the reform process.
• Rethinking funding: Optimizing financial allocations to the sector.
• “Pioneering Institutions” Program: Launched in 2024, this initiative aims to enhance the quality of teaching, learning, management, and administration in public schools. It targets 2,000 primary schools, 512 annexes, and 232 middle schools, with plans to expand to 2,000 institutions by 2025, benefiting approximately 1.3 million primary school students.
• Addressing Dropout Rates: The Ministry of National Education has implemented social support initiatives like “One Million School Bags,” school meals, and transportation services, benefiting over 4.4 million students in rural areas. Dropout rates decreased by 12% from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023.
• Teacher Recruitment and Training: Efforts are underway to address the shortage of qualified teachers, with plans to recruit 20,000 new teachers in 2023 and allocate funds for their training.

Challenges Facing the Moroccan Education System

Despite notable progress, several challenges persist:

Quality of Education: A primary concern, as many students still struggle with basic reading and writing skills, leading to high dropout rates and low achievement levels.

Urban-Rural Disparity: Significant inequalities exist in access to quality education, resources, and infrastructure between urban and rural areas.

Language Barrier: The discrepancy between colloquial Moroccan Arabic (Darija) spoken at home and Modern Standard Arabic (Fus’ha) used as the primary language of instruction, coupled with the prevalence of French in higher education, can hinder academic progress for many students, especially those from low-income backgrounds.

Teacher Shortage: A significant shortage of qualified teachers, estimated at 60,000, negatively impacts the delivery of quality education.

Curriculum and Teaching Methods: Criticism regarding outdated curricula and reliance on rote learning methods, which may not adequately foster critical thinking and 21st-century skills.

Socio-economic Inequalities: Financial barriers for disadvantaged students, even with free public universities, can hinder access to higher education due to costs like books, transportation, and living expenses.

Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities, particularly regarding access to technology and remote learning, and highlighted the need for robust digital infrastructure and adaptable teaching methods.

Funding and Expenditure

Morocco has demonstrated a commitment to investing in education.

• Government expenditure on education was 6.02% of GDP in 2023, an increase from 5.91% in 2022. This figure is higher than the world average of 4.40%.
• Education spending as a percentage of total government expenditure was 22.83% in 2023.
• The 2023 state budget allocated MAD 69 billion (approximately $6.2 billion) to education, a 10% increase from the previous year.

Morocco’s education system is at a critical juncture, with ongoing reforms aiming to build on past successes in increasing enrollment and literacy rates. The focus is increasingly shifting towards enhancing the quality and equity of education, ensuring that all Moroccan children have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the nation’s development.

FAQs on Age-wise Education System in Morocco

What is the structure of Morocco’s education system by age group?
Morocco’s education system is structured into preschool (ages 4–6), primary (6–12), lower secondary (12–15), upper secondary (15–18), and higher education (18+).

Is preschool education compulsory in Morocco?
No, preschool is not compulsory, but it is increasingly emphasized and integrated into the formal education system.

What percentage of children are enrolled in preschool in Morocco?
As of 2023–2024, preschool enrollment stands at 78.7%.

What age group is covered by primary education in Morocco?
Primary education covers children aged 6 to 12 years.

Is primary education compulsory in Morocco?
Yes, it is part of the nine years of compulsory basic education.

What subjects are taught in Moroccan primary schools?
Subjects include Arabic, French, mathematics, Islamic education, history, geography, and science.

How high is the enrollment rate in primary education?
Enrollment has reached 95.8%, with girls in rural areas showing significant improvement.

What challenges affect the quality of primary education?
Despite high enrollment, many students struggle with basic literacy, with 66% of 10-year-olds unable to comprehend simple texts.

What is lower secondary education in Morocco?
Lower secondary, or collège, covers ages 12 to 15 and completes the nine-year compulsory education.

What subjects are taught in lower secondary schools?
Subjects include Arabic, French, science, mathematics, Islamic studies, geography, history, and often English as a second foreign language.

What diploma is awarded at the end of lower secondary school?
Students receive the Brevet d’Enseignement Collégial.

What is upper secondary education in Morocco?
It covers ages 15 to 18 and includes general, technical, and vocational streams, culminating in the Baccalauréat.

Is upper secondary education compulsory in Morocco?
No, but a large proportion of students continue at this level.

What is the enrollment rate in upper secondary education?
Enrollment is around 89.8%.

What are the types of institutions in higher education in Morocco?
Higher education includes universities, Grandes Écoles, and technical/vocational institutes.

What languages are used in higher education?
Arabic and French are commonly used, with English gaining traction in STEM and international programs.

What is the tertiary enrollment rate in Morocco?
Tertiary enrollment was approximately 47.71% in 2023.

Are more women attending university than men?
Yes, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.15 in higher education.

What share of graduates are from science and engineering fields?
About 27.23% of graduates in 2022 were from science and engineering disciplines.

Does Morocco offer adult education programs?
Yes, including literacy campaigns, vocational training, and continuing education.

What is the current illiteracy rate in Morocco?
As of 2024, the illiteracy rate is 24.8%, down from 32.2% in 2014.

How has female illiteracy improved?
It dropped from 42.1% in 2014 to 32.4% in 2024.

What is the “Pioneering Institutions” program?
Launched in 2024, it aims to improve quality in teaching and school management, targeting thousands of schools.

What steps are being taken to reduce dropout rates?
Programs like “One Million School Bags,” school meals, and transportation support over 4.4 million rural students.

Is there a shortage of teachers in Morocco?
Yes, the country faces a shortage of around 60,000 qualified teachers.

What efforts are being made to recruit teachers?
Plans include hiring 20,000 new teachers and investing in their training.

What are key challenges in Moroccan education?
Challenges include quality of education, urban-rural disparities, language barriers, teacher shortages, and socio-economic inequality.

How did COVID-19 impact education in Morocco?
It highlighted digital infrastructure gaps and deepened educational inequalities.

How much does Morocco spend on education?
In 2023, education spending was 6.02% of GDP and 22.83% of total government expenditure.

What is the goal of Morocco’s 2022–2026 education reform roadmap?
It aims to improve governance, funding efficiency, stakeholder involvement, and education quality.