STORY HIGHLIGHTS
In 2018, the Kingdom of Morocco set a national goal of universal preschool access for children aged 4 to 5 by 2028. This target places a particular emphasis on reaching rural and disadvantaged communities that have limited access to early learning opportunities.
Over the six years starting in 2018, preschool enrollment soared in the country, rising from 45 % to 80 % nationally, and from 33 % to 91 % in rural areas. Preschool coverage has also expanded dramatically since 2018.
Over 9,500 new jobs for preschool teachers have been created, most of them in rural areas. This expansion has not only improved learning outcomes for children but also generated economic opportunities and strengthened women's empowerment within local communities.
Girls’ enrollment increased from 25 % in 2017 to 93 % in 2024, marking a major step toward closing the gender gap in early education. Targeted interventions to remove barriers, along with increased community awareness, have driven this surge, ensuring that girls benefit equally from the foundational advantages of preschool.
IMPACTING THE EARLY YEARS FOR LIFELONG LEARNING
Early childhood education is far more than a personal benefit; it represents a critical national investment. Building a more equitable future requires focusing on the earliest years of life, when a child’s brain develops more rapidly than at any other stage in their development. Supporting children in their first five years lays the foundation not only for learning but also for lifelong social well-being. Quality preschool education develops intellectual capacity, builds confidence, and fosters curiosity, giving every child the opportunity to reach their full potential.
“I like to study and read books,” said Marwane, a young preschooler in Soukane El Kebir, a village located one hour from Marrakech. His words reflect a deeper transformation: children across Morocco are discovering a love of learning from their earliest days thanks to expanded preschool access.
Parents in rural areas, many of whom never had the chance to attend preschool themselves, are now ensuring that their children don’t face the same disadvantages.
“There is a big difference between a pupil who has been to preschool and one who goes straight into primary school,” said Fatima, a mother from Soukane El Kebir.
Reflecting on her own experience, she added, “When I entered primary school directly, I didn't know the letters of the alphabet, numbers, how to read the time, and many other things. If I had gone through preschool, I would have learned the alphabet, the Quran, math, and more.”
Souad Sahraoui, the sister of a preschool student in Soukane El Kebir, echoed this sentiment: “I would have loved to have the opportunity to go to preschool. In our village specifically, many things have changed with the children in this class. I personally noticed it in all of them.”
This transformation is particularly evident for girls. In 2017, only 25% of rural girls attended preschool. By 2024, that number had surged to 93 %.
At the heart of this shift is a new generation of early childhood educators, most of whom are women. Since 2018, more than 9,500 jobs have been created in the preschool sector, providing women in rural areas with stable employment and the opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of their communities. These educators are teaching essential foundational skills and also fostering cognitive and social development in young children through innovative approaches.
“Through play, I teach children many learning concepts,” said Ghizlaine Jabrani, a preschool educator. “It’s an effective way to communicate and connect.”
This progress is helping to close the urban-rural education gap. Children who once would have started school behind their peers now begin primary school equipped with the skills, confidence, and social readiness they need to succeed.
“When I grow up, I'm going to be a teacher because I love studying,” said Wahiba, another preschooler from Soukane El Kebir, a dream that can be nurtured by early learning opportunities.
A NATIONAL COMMITMENT ROOTED IN LOCAL CHANGE
In 2018, Morocco made a bold commitment: to provide universal preschool access for all 4- to 5-year-olds by 2028. Achieving this ambitious target required deep coordination between national institutions, civil society organizations, and local communities. As a result, the country is delivering on its commitment. Between 2018 and 2024, enrollment rose from 45 % to 80 % nationwide and from 33 % to 91 % in rural areas.
This progress builds on a long-standing national effort to improve human development. Launched in 2005 by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) aims to combat social and economic exclusion. With its third phase in 2018, INDH transitioned from infrastructure-based approaches to a more integrated, community-focused model, enabling local governments and partners to ensure that children and families have access to coordinated services, including health, nutrition, early learning, and protection from poverty and stress.
A powerful alliance has emerged from this national strategy. The Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, INDH, and leading NGOs such as the Moroccan Foundation for the Preschool Education (FMPS), and the Zakoura Foundation have jointly launched one of the most extensive and successful preschool expansions in the world.
Supporting these efforts, the World Bank has contributed with both financial support and technical expertise to strengthen each stage of implementation. Through the Improving Early Childhood Development Outcomes in Rural Morocco and Education Sector Support programs, the World Bank has helped expand access to quality preschool services, ensuring that no child is left behind at the very start of their educational journey.
Today, more than 900,000 children are enrolled in modern preschools across the country. Hundreds of thousands have already transitioned to primary school, better prepared, more confident, and equipped with the foundational skills needed to succeed.
Morocco is building a more inclusive, resilient, and future-ready education system, ensuring that citizens will have the skills they need to succeed in the future, starting where it matters most: in early childhood.
