The Effect of a Change in Language of Instruction on the Returns to Schooling in Morocco Essay Example for Free

The Effect of a Change in Language of Instruction on the Returns to Schooling in Morocco Essay According to this journal, in the last few decades, language reform has been a strong movement throughout the Kingdom of Morocco from a primarily French speaking country, to an Arabic speaking one. In the schools, the French teachers were removed and replaced with native speaking ones. Although the Curriculum changed, the books language did not, because many of the jobs available are in a French speaking language and nation. So, the economic value of the Moroccan people speaking French is greater than only speaking Arabic. In 1983, A process named â€Å"Arabization† by many, removed the French language and replaced it with Arabic. In schools in Morocco, many parents left their children in middle school until there was room for them in secondary school. In this article they have correlated the similarities between speaking the French language and The economy, and how each has affected each other. Islamic Radicalism Slows Moroccan Reforms. Steven Erlanger and Souad Mekhennet. New York Times. 26 August, 2009. According to this article, Morocco has been viewed as â€Å"a rare, liberalizing, Islamic State†¦that can live in peace with Israel. † (NY Times) King Mohammed VI is under extreme Islamic pressure and has slowed the pace of change. Although he says he is focused on democracy, according the article, it is more of just a facade. Many of the head officials have talked of a balance between freedom and democracy but many are worried of extremism. In 2003, bombings by Islamic radicals have increased tension in Morocco, and may have thwarted the attempts to make it a more accepting society. Since the Bombings, there has been a major crackdown on extremists in the country, going so far as to jail someone for having a long beard, and accusing them of terrorist activities because of this. Some say this is all over the top and the arrests are based on circumstantial evidence, but others such as Morocco’s intelligence leader stated that it was not based on political parties but a crack-down on terrorism. The king has decided to rid the country of the slums, in an attempt to smut out all radicalism. Although this crackdown has removed some extremism , it has interfered with human rights, especially that of people in jail. Background Note: Morocco. U. S Department of State. Bureau of Northeastern affairs. 12 March, 2012. This United states government website gives a profile of the geography, people, government, and economics of the Kingdom of Morocco. The location is North Africa on the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The population is listed as 34,859,364 people. Their GDP as of 2010 was $90. 5 million. According to this article, the Moroccan people are mainly Sunni Muslims of Arab descent. Arabic is Morocco’s official language but French is most widely taught. It also states that most people live west of the Atlas mountains, near Casablanca. Although education is compulsory, the average literacy rate is surprisingly low, around 30% for women, and approximately 65% for men, but in rural areas is expected to be about only 10% for women. During World War II there was a strong campaign for independence from France. Morocco finally gained its independence on March 2nd, 1956. Currently Moroccan Government is ruled by a monarchy, but now has a stronger parliament to help improve democracy and human rights. Introducing Morocco. Lonely Planet. Website. 20 January 2012. http://www. lonelyplanet. com/morocco This Travel site describes Morocco as a sensory overload. Tangier is considered a common first port of call, but Casablanca is the most recognizable due to its popularity from portrayals in movies. Their monetary system is the Dirham, which is comparable, 1 USD= 8. 15 (DH). It also states that their chief of state is Mohammad VI. The Article says that Malaria is no longer a problem in the country. CIA. The World Fact book. Website. https://www. cia. gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2049. html This site explains the main exports of Morocco, which are clothing and textiles, electrical components, crude minerals, fertilizers, petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, and fish. It is a very diverse, open-market economy. The economy over the years has seen steady growth with low inflation rates. The core of the economy revolves around agriculture, tourism, and apparel. Although they have had slow economic success, they still suffer from unemployment and poverty. Key challenges for the Moroccan economic system includes fighting corruption and reducing government spending. In 2006, Morocco entered a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, the only African country to have one. Morocco’s Labor force as of 2011 has 11. 6 million people approximately.