King launches National initiative 'One Million Schoolbags'

    Dubbed "One Million Schoolbags", the initiative provides, inter alia, for helping poor families cope with the costs of the new school year, generalizing schooling and guaranteeing access to junior high-school for all pupils.   

    The initiative, announced in king's speech to the nation marking the 55th anniversary of the king and people's Revolution (July 20), is also meant to give a new impetus to generalizing compulsory basic education, promote equal opportunity and tackle the drop-out problem. 

    The sovereign, who was briefed on this initiative, visited schoolbooks' stockroom and delivered schoolbags, laden with schoolbooks and stationery, to 30 pupils. 
 
    The operation will mostly be funded by Morocco's tough-on-poverty program, the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), the authorities and institutions concerned, local governments and trustworthy institutions and associations.

    The operation will benefit 454,467 pupils living in 264 urban neighborhoods and 455,533 pupils living in 403 rural communes. Girls represent 49.80% of the beneficiaries.

MAP