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Rabat – In the wake of the earthquake that hit the Al Haouz region on September 8, Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University has launched the “ReBuild” initiative to replace damaged classrooms with modular and resilient structures.
UM6P has established the reconstruction initiative through close collaboration with local authorities, the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Water and Logistics, national companies, and with support from the OCP Foundation.
The project was initiated by a request from the Moroccan Ministry of National Education seeking assistance from UM6P to implement a solution of modular classrooms, the university indicated in a press release.
The new classrooms will replace those that were destroyed by the earthquake, ensuring the continuity of public education services as per the directives of King Mohammed VI, UM6P said.
These modular constructions are designed with specific dimensions: 54 square meters for classrooms, nine square meters for offices, 12 square meters for temporary housing units, and additional space allocated for sanitary facilities.
These semi-permanent buildings will initially be deployed in the provinces of Chichaoua, Al Haouz, and Taroudant, which were affected the most by the tragic earthquake.
An initial allocation of 500 classrooms has been planned, with an estimated completion period of two months, the statement said, noting that prototypes have already been installed, notably in the town of Asni, and will begin receiving students starting next week.
Read also: Students from Earthquake-Affected Areas Transfer to Marrakech Boarding Schools
After the reconstruction of the affected schools, the modular units from the Rebuild project will serve for short-term transitional situations, particularly to address construction delays or classroom overcrowding.
The Moroccan university underlined that this project is based on “cutting-edge concepts and modular construction techniques with a steel frame, developed through extensive research, experience, and expertise,” in partnership with UM6P’s School of Architecture, Planning & Design.
The initiative involves the local building sector workforce and is actively engaging four Moroccan companies. “Their involvement demonstrates a commitment to supporting local economic growth while promoting job creation within the local communities,” said the statement.
UM6P stressed that the ReBuild initiative aims to address the urgent education needs of the earthquake-affected population with “innovative solutions,” as well as cater to the educational requirements of young children.
The statement explained that the new modular constructions are built using high resilience standards against climatic and seismic factors. In addition, the new classrooms integrate “high standards” of electrical connectivity, water supply, and sanitation systems
“They [students] will now have the opportunity to receive education in secure spaces compliant with prevailing standards,” the statement stressed.
