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Rabat – Amid the ongoing digital transformation, using innovative technology solutions in education has become a widespread trend, especially in first-world countries such as the United Kingdom. Many schools in Morocco took interest in following suit and integrating technology into the learning experience.
The British Embassy in Rabat, in partnership with the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), organized the UK EdTech Schools Showcase 2023 at the British International School of Casablanca (BISC) on Wednesday.
The event sought to highlight the importance of implementing the use of new technology in schools, notably in Moroccan education. The exhibition brought together more than 10 British companies specializing in innovative Education Technology (EdTech) solutions.
In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), the Consul General of the British Consulate General in Casablanca Tom Hill said that the event features “dynamic and innovative UK companies working with Moroccan educational institutions to help increase and modernize the way that students are taught here in Morocco.”
the Consul General of the British Consulate General in Casablanca Tom Hill speaking at the event
Innovative EdTech tools
The event activities included an exhibition where representatives from the companies introduced their innovative solutions. They highlighted how their products and latest technologies can enhance and revolutionize the learning experience for both students and teachers, as well as help them reach their learning goals.
In this respect, the event served as a platform for exchange and networking for the benefit of EdTech solutions seeking to extend their footprint in Morocco and supply the North African country’s educational institutions.
One of the exhibitors at the event, Founder and Director of Charanga Mark Burke, told MWN about his teaching and learning platform for music – Charanga – which he founded 25 years ago.
Charanga offers digital resources that support the teaching and learning of instrumental and curriculum music, especially at an early level. The platform has worked with over 2,000 educational institutions across the world “to help them have brilliant music in their schools,” Burke emphasized.
Founder and Director of Charanga Mark Burke speaking at the event
Talking about the benefits of implementing technology in education, Burke highlighted that digital tools help improve the learning experience and make it “new and interesting.” He also noted that technology makes certain subjects more accessible for children and students, including music, and potentially helps them progress faster.
For her part, Julia Garvey, Deputy Director General of the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), told Morocco World News that the association is “proud” to co-organize “the first-ever UK government Ed Tech trade mission to Morocco.”
The mission is an opportunity to “develop and forge relationships between the UK companies and schools in the region,” including British international schools, national schools, and other government schools, she noted.
Julia Garvey, Deputy Director General of the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA)
In addition to Charanga, the exhibition showcased several other EdTech platforms, including BOFA, Everybody Counts, Renaissance Literacy Solution, Oriel Square, and TES, among others.
Each company offered digital solutions for education, from providing personalized courses and teaching material to implementing Artificial Intelligence to support learners and teachers.
Morocco-UK cooperation
English language education has become increasingly popular in Morocco, opening the door to growing opportunities for cooperation in the education sector between Morocco and the United Kingdom.
In addition, the British educational system, which BISC offers using the Cambridge Curriculum, has grown extremely popular in Morocco.
In this regard, Hill noted that the second Association Council of the UK-Morocco association agreement will take place next month. The council, he explained, is “an opportunity for us to sit down with Morocco and talk about the areas where we would like to see the trading agreement improved, and how we can work together to increase trade flows between our two kingdoms.”
Read also: UK Ambassador Signs Partnership with Casblanca’s British International School
Morocco is so far home to six British accredited schools, the British consul general highlighted, stressing his hope to see the number grow amid the UK-Morocco’s increasing cooperation in the education sector.
He noted a common aspect between the six British schools in Morocco, saying that “they are all very fast to embrace technology and the latest teaching methods.” He also celebrated the “increased appetite” for the English language in schools across Morocco.
Ciara O’Sullivan, representative of AI teaching and learning platform “Century” at the event
Morocco World News spoke with several students from BISC, including Daha Hamouny, who highlighted his experience at the school as well as the benefits of using technological solutions in education.
“We have lots of technology on offer [at BISC], that help assist us to study more efficiently,” Hamouny said, emphasizing that technology enables students to stay up-to-date with the evolving and fast-changing world.
For Hamouny, using technology is “an easier but more efficient way to study nowadays.”
