Rabat – According to Morocco’s Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports Chakib Benmoussa, 31% of primary schools across Morocco teach the Amazigh language.
During a meeting in the House of Representatives on Monday, Benmoussa highlighted that the ministry’s goal is to increase the percentage to 50% in the 2025–26 school year.
To do so, the ministry hired 200 Amazigh language teachers in 2021, 400 in 2022, and 600 in 2023 in addition to bilingual teachers.
Benmoussa said that the first group of primary education inspectors in the Amazigh language was trained during the 2023 session.
In addition, he noted that the ministry also approved new school manuals for the teaching of the Amazigh language in primary schools.
Morocco officially recognized Amazigh as one of its official languages in 2011.
As part of its efforts to use the language in official documents alongside Arabic and French, the Moroccan government has recently intended to adopt Amazigh for official legislative documents.
Earlier this year, the North African country officially added the Amazigh New Year to the list of paid national holidays. This year’s January 14 will mark the 2974th year in the Amazigh calendar.
The government’s decision intended to reinforce Morocco’s cultural identity and demonstrate the country’s commitment to honoring the Amazigh heritage.
This official designation of the Amazigh New Year was brought about by orders of King Mohammed VI, according to government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas.
Thus, the total number of Moroccan holidays has increased to 14 days per year.
Read also: Moroccan Government to Adopt Amazigh for Official Legislative Documents
