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By Lyes Aflou
ALGIERS, April 26, 2012 (Magharebia)
Algeria and Morocco on Tuesday (April 24th) agreed to strengthen relations in education and teaching, while at the same time calling for a united Maghreb.
The new partnership accord was signed in Algiers by visiting Moroccan Education Minister Mohamed El Ouafa and his Algerian counterpart Boubekeur Benbouzid.
“Algeria is ready to work tirelessly to strengthen relations between the two countries,” Benbouzid said, expressing his wish to see “the construction of a united Arab Maghreb”.
“We have a political and historical responsibility towards our rising generations to build a strong, unified Maghreb region, a united Arab Maghreb,” El Ouafa said. He also said that the two countries “have a duty to join these people in unity and solidarity to tackle various challenges”.
The memorandum signed by the two ministers provides for heightened co-operation and closeness between the countries through an exchange of information and expertise.
This co-operation will target improvements in education programmes, the writing of new textbooks, the development and use of education resources, along with training for teaching staff and educational and administrative advisors across the two countries.
The exchange programme also includes the teaching of foreign languages, science and technology subjects, and approaches to teaching methodology. The last of these areas will require the establishment of a joint permanent committee on educational co-operation.
The text of the agreement said the neighbours “will encourage the establishment of partnerships in the field of education between teaching establishments and training and research centres in the two countries, along with the exchange of visits by parties of students and educators”.
As part of this, there are plans for education conferences, joint scientific meetings, education exhibitions, sporting events, and the sharing of experience on special needs teaching, school-based careers guidance, distance learning, literacy and the promotion of private education.
Exchanges will also cover projects, study, research, publications, reviews, teaching and training programmes and laws governing the education systems in the two countries. The two parties also hope to encourage school establishments to promote bilateral relations through twinnings, correspondence and exchange visits by pupils attending education camps organised by the two countries.
“The education sector will undoubtedly make a contribution to building a prosperous future for the Algerian and Moroccan peoples in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation,” Benbouzid said.
The Moroccan minister, meanwhile, said that the education system “must provide an arena for educators and students in the two countries to come together”.
“Algeria and Morocco have a duty to join these people in unity and solidarity to tackle various challenges,” El Ouafa said.
