Ministry of National Education (Morocco)

The Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports (Arabic: وزارة التربية الوطنية والتعليم الأولي والرياضة) is the ministerial department of the government of Morocco responsible for the preparation and implementation of government policy in the fields of preschool, primary and secondary education, as well as BTS programmes and preparatory classes for the grandes écoles. It also exercises, within the limits of its prerogatives, state oversight over private schooling.^[1]

The ministry's headquarters are located in Rabat. Since 23 October 2024, the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports has been Mohamed Saad Berrada.^[2]

The ministry is responsible for preparing and implementing the state's public policy in the fields of school and preschool education. Its main responsibilities include:

• the organization and development of preschool, primary and secondary education;
• the supervision of BTS programmes and preparatory classes for the grandes écoles;
• the development and implementation of educational curricula and pedagogical guidelines;
• the production and analysis of statistical data relating to the education system;
• the administrative and pedagogical supervision of public educational institutions;
• the oversight of private schooling by the state.

The ministry also participates in the implementation of government policy in the field of school sports.

As part of the reform of the education system, the ministry introduced the pioneer schools initiative, aimed at improving fundamental learning outcomes in public education.

This initiative relies in particular on new pedagogical approaches focused on the acquisition of basic skills, especially in reading and mathematics, as well as enhanced support for teachers and regular monitoring of student performance.

Initially deployed on a pilot basis in several schools starting in 2023, the pioneer school model has progressively been expanded and now serves as a pedagogical reference for public education in Morocco.^[3]

The ministry relies on a central administration and decentralized services, notably the Regional Academies of Education and Training (AREF), which relay its action at the territorial level.^[4]

In 2024, the ministry adopted a new organizational structure intended to reorganize its central administration. This reform is structured around four divisions, including three general directorates dedicated to pedagogical action, school life and sports activities, and the supervision of educational institutions, while a fourth division falls under the General Secretariat and focuses on human capital issues.^[5]

The central administration also includes the minister's cabinet, the General Secretariat, the General Inspectorate and several directorates and central services.