Queen Rania Visits Morocco
Morocco’s achievements in re-integration of girls into the education system were highlighted by a visit from Jordan’s Queen Rania Al Abdullah . She came in her official role as UNICEF’s First Eminent Advocate for Children. She and Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco, visited two UNICEF sponsored projects in Fez.
Her Majesty and Princess Lalla Salma met with girls, in a primary school, who had formerly been workers in a carpet weaving workshop. The girls told their important visitors about how they had worked long hours. Working conditions were such that the girls had to stand for long hours, often without food or water and abuse was common. The girls related that they miss some of their old friends but they are happy to be in school.
UNICEF, and the International Labor Organization (ILO)/ International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC), have been supportive of the Moroccan government’s efforts to end child labor. The Moroccan National Plan of Action for Children has steadily increased the number, of children, enrolled in school since its inception in 2006. Employment of children under the age of 15 is prohibited and education is mandatory till the age 15. Even so, it is estimated that nearly 600,000 children are working. Over a million children, mostly girls are not in school.
One method being used by UNICEF and the Moroccan government to end child labor is to offer non-formal education opportunities. This is a first step to formal education. One center, The Moroccan Red Crescent Non-Formal Education Center, visited by Queen Rania and Princess Lalla Salma, has activities that help girls build self esteem and communication skills. They joined girls, who are part of the SCREAM (Supporting Children’s Rights through Education, the Arts and Media) program in an activity. Queen Rania related how education is important to the future of the girls. Education gives them the tools to combat poverty and unemployment.
Girls, between ages 12-15, who are still workers in the various handicraft workshops are offered life-skill education such as reading, writing and arithmetic as well as counseling by the Red Crescent staff.
Her Majesty, Queen Rania, complimented Morocco on its efforts to educate girls. Enrollment of girls in school has increased by 30 percent in ten years time going from 50 to 80 percent.
UNICEF works with employers, social workers, public servants, and non-governmental organizations by educating them about children’s rights. It, also, facilitates such programs as equipping of centers, vaccinating working children against tetanus, and providing play and leisure activities for those children still employed in the handicraft workshops or re-integrated into schools. UNICEF was joined by the International Labor Organization (ILO)/ International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC) in 2003.
Morocco’s Ministry of Education, UNICEF along with other partners, support the Child-Friendly School Model. Schools in this program are more accommodating to children. Students are encouraged to participate more in school and the quality of their education. Child-Friendly School Models get the parents and children, as well as the community involved in making decisions. Schools using this model in Morocco number around 700. They serve as a response to child labor by providing basic education and they have reduced the drop rate to 67 percent.
Appointed UNICEF’s first Eminent Advocate for Childen this past January, Queen Rania is working toward a better world for children. She calls attention to the achievements of the Millennium Development goals. Those goals are related to the well being of children, their education and heath. She says that every child has the right to health, happiness, education and dignity.
UNICEF helps children from early childhood through adolescence to survive and thrive. It is the world’s largest supplier of vaccines to children in developing countries. UNICEF works for chldren’s rights, protection, survival, and education. UNICEF gets is funds from voluntary contributions of individuals, foundations, businesses and governments
Written by: Carole Morris, Morocco News Correspondent
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October 31st, 2007 at 9:35 am
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