Access to education and the needs of migrant children in Morocco
This snapshot examines access to education services and the needs of migrant children in Morocco, based on data collected by the Association Migration Internationale (AMI). Analysis is based on 336 surveys conducted in May and June 2024 in Morocco with individuals accompanying children during their migration journey.
Français: Ce snapshot explore l’accès aux services éducatifs et les besoins des enfants migrant·e·s au Maroc à partir de données recueillies par l’Association Migration Internationale (AMI) auprès d’accompagnant·e·s d’enfants. Cette analyse s’appuie sur 336 enquêtes menées en mai et juin 2024 au Maroc auprès de personnes accompagnant des enfants lors de leur migration.
The majority of respondents (58%) are solely responsible for their children, most of whom are under the age of six (62%).
Access to education and childcare services is limited: more than half of caregivers (54%) report that at least one child has no access to any services, especially among those in an irregular situation (62%).
For children under six years old, less than one third (27%) benefit from formal childcare and 7% from informal care, limiting access to essential services and restricting caregivers’ ability to work or pursue training.
For school-age children (6–17 years old), access to compulsory education is also very limited: 34% are enrolled in formal education and 17% in non-formal programmes, despite Moroccan legislation making primary education free and compulsory.
Caregivers in Rabat reported encountering more obstacles in accessing education and childcare services than those in Casablanca. For example, 55% of respondents in Rabat said their children did not attend any services, compared to 43% in Casablanca.
Administrative status is not the only barrier to accessing education. Even with free education, 65% of caregivers whose children do not attend any educational or childcare services cite financial constraints that may be related to transport, school supplies, food, etc.
Lack of information is also a major barrier to accessing education or childcare services, particularly for those caring for children aged 6 to 17 (57%). This may indicate that some refugees and migrants with children are not aware of how to access free schooling in Morocco.
Caregivers most often identify socio-educational activities (51%) and access to healthcare (51%) as the priority needs for their children, while 37% mention education.
Ce snapshot fait partie d’une série de recherches conçues pour informer la programmation visant à améliorer la protection, l’éducation et l’inclusion socio-économique des jeunes et des enfants migrant·e·s en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Nord. Ces efforts font partie de la première phase du projet Enfants et Jeunes sur les routes migratoires en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Nord (EJM) mené par Helvetas et Terre des hommes, avec le soutien financier de la Direction Suisse du Développement et de la Coopération (DDC).
See also
Barriers to employment and education for young migrants in Morocco
Related project
EJM – Enfants et Jeunes sur les Routes Migratoires
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Barriers to employment and education for young migrants in Morocco
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