Morocco’s Pioneer Schools: Advancing Improved Student Learning

Despite rapid expansion in access to education over the last two decades, Morocco has faced a persistent challenge: learning poverty remains high, with nearly 60 % of 10-year-olds unable to read and understand a simple text by the end of primary school as of 2023. This gap underscores a critical reality: access to schooling does not automatically translate into meaningful learning. 

Confronted with this challenge, Morocco has taken decisive action steps to improve its education system and better prepare its future generations.  Guided by the Strategic Vision for Reform 2015-2030, the country is undertaking a far-reaching transformation of its education system-one that prioritizes learning outcomes, invests in teachers and school leadership, and seeks to ensure that opportunity and accountability reach every classroom. 

A new model for primary education

To translate this reform into practice, the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports launched the Pioneer Schools (Écoles Pionnières) program during the 2023-2024 academic year as one of their key reform initiatives under the 2022-2026 Education Strategic Roadmap. The World Bank is supporting Morocco's reforms through a US$750 million Education Support Program (PASE). The program - launched in 2019 with an Additional Financing in 2023 - supports the government's strategy by strengthening early childhood education and foundational learning; improving the teacher workforce (new hiring and incentive practices, teacher selection, education and induction training); and scaling evidence-based teaching methods such as targeted remedial instruction and structured pedagogy. The PASE program for results also strengthens local education governance structures (with a focus on management tools of Regional Academies - the AREFs) helping the program move from vision to measurable impact in classrooms across the country.

The Pioneer Schools initiative is designed to drive meaningful improvements in learning outcomes nationwide. Its objective is clear: to significantly increase the share of primary school students mastering foundational skills while reducing school dropout rates by at least one-third. The new model demonstrates an important shift away from a curriculum coverage approach to a mastery approach, giving teachers tools for instruction, formative assessment and enriched curricula. As teacher Ilham Ait Azzi explains, "the Pioneer Schools program places equal emphasis on the student, the teacher, and the institution itself-calling on schools to rise to the level of both learning and the learner, and to become attractive, supportive environments" where every child can thrive.

Beyond pedagogy, the program strengthens the overall learning environment through a comprehensive support package. Schools receive upgraded infrastructure, digital equipment, and increased operational resources, with school budgets tripled under the program. 

Supporting teachers, reaching every learner

What makes this transformation possible are the steps taken to support teachers-the heart of any classroom. Through professional development, coaching, and the adoption of evidence-based methods including teaching at the right level instruction and structured lessons, educators are equipped with tools and techniques to reach every learner. As teacher Zoubir Reguani highlights, "what is now called intensive remediation-previously known as Teaching at the Right Level-aims to create a comfortable learning environment where struggling students are given the time and support to catch up with their peers. Over the course of four weeks, this approach helps ensure that all students can progress together at the same pace." 

The dedicated remedial month held each September provides intensive instruction in core subjects (Arabic, French and Mathematics). Students are grouped by learning level and supported through continuous formative assessments and structured teaching materials. Students who continue to need support receive additional tutoring throughout the academic year. Other teaching methods are introduced throughout the year to enhance learning, such as scripted lessons to guide teacher practices. For students like Hiba Hamoudi, these changes are tangible: "When we make mistakes, they encourage us and tell us to keep going." In doing so, these methods not only strengthen foundational skills but also build students' confidence and foster a lasting love of learning. 

Early results, strong potential 

The Pioneer Schools program began with a pilot in 2023-2024, involving 626 public primary schools, 320,000 students, and 82 provinces. A preliminary impact evaluation conducted by JPAL shows that Morocco's Pioneer Schools significantly improved student learning, especially in reading, writing, and math. Notably, the results indicate that Pioneer Schools students outperform 82 % of their peers in comparable schools after just one year of implementation in terms of learning gains. Encouraged by these early results, the Ministry rapidly expanded the initiative.

Today, the program is implemented in 4,626 public primary schools, serving more than 2 million students-roughly 54 % of all primary schools in Morocco-supported by 75,000 teachers and 960 inspectors. The reform has also extended to lower-secondary education through a pilot phase of Pioneer Middle-Schools (Collèges Pionniers) that began in 2024-25, and now involves 786 schools and approximately 678,000 students, particularly in areas with high dropout rates. Significant improvements in student learning outcomes and the reduction of school dropouts at the college level are very promising. The initiative also benefits from an extracurricular component with socio-emotional support mechanisms that further support student learning and well-being.  

Building an equitable and resilient system 

The Pioneer Schools initiative reflects Morocco's commitment to foundational learning for all. Its aim is to reduce disparities in educational outcomes linked to geography, socioeconomic background, or school location, and to ensure that all students are supported. As preschool education becomes more widespread, children will be better prepared when they start primary school. This, along with the Pioneer Schools reform, will likely lead to even stronger learning results and long-lasting improvements in foundational skills.

By aligning a clear national vision with evidence-based classroom practices, sustained teacher support, and adequate resources, Morocco is demonstrating that meaningful improvements in learning are possible at scale.