Soon a new school in Rabat

The network of Belgian Schools in Morocco (EBM) is increasing its presence. After the two schools in Casablanca and Dar Bouazza, a third school will be opened in Rabat. The first stone was laid yesterday in a ceremony attended by Rudy Demotte, Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and a host of Belgian and Moroccan officials. For Mr Demotte, the opening of the Belgian school in Rabat is in line with the cooperation between the two countries.

Furthermore, the EBM are governed by the agreement of 21 May 2014 between the Moroccan government and the government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Under this agreement, the EBM applies an educational programme in accordance with the rules and standards set out by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation into which Arab language and culture lessons and lessons on the history and geography of Morocco are incorporated. The lessons also comply with the directives of the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training. The future Belgian school at Rabat will be located at Hay Riad and will cover a surface area of 11,000 m². It will be able to accommodate 1,500 students with ages ranging from 2.5 years to 18 years for a comprehensive curriculum from nursery to the last year of secondary school. It should be noted here that the EBM curriculum is recognised by two main qualifications, namely the Certificate of Basic Studies (CEB) at the end of primary school and the Certificate of Secondary Education (CESS). The CESS provides access to higher education in Morocco and abroad.

On this last point, Annick Wyart, the headteacher, confirmed that "the network intends to contact Moroccan higher education institutions and universities in order to establish partnerships to maximize students' opportunities". In this sense, initial contact has already been made with Hassan II University. The EBM is also focused on developing its social aspect. This is structured around several areas, particularly teacher training and mentoring disadvantaged children.

The Belgian School of Casablanca has also agreed a partnership with the Heure Joyeuse Association to care for sponsored children through free and comprehensive schooling from nursery level to the end of secondary studies. In addition, educators from this association are also included in training courses organised by the EBC for its teaching staff.

For Belgian officials, the special feature of the Belgian School lies in its philosophy. "The Belgian School is above all a state of mind and a process which has been constructed over time", stated Vincent Lorcel, Director of the Foundation Department. "The education is focused on the student", he explains. In this statement, the Director has highlighted the values defended by the EBM, which are democracy, openness, respect and social emancipation. The objective is to promote self-confidence, acquire knowledge and skills, create responsible citizens and ensure equal opportunities. For the Director of the Foundation Department, these objectives are the guiding principles of the EBM.

According to those running this project, the EBM's philosophy is also to offer knowledge and acquire skills specific to school disciplines. It is also to fuel students' curiosity and to develop the mental processes and relationship skills that make them want to continue learning throughout their life. In short, for the Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation "school is more than a link between teacher and student, it is a much deeper connection. It is a universal construction tool."