On the occasion of the new school year, provincial authorities and stakeholders in Chichaoua, one of the areas impacted by the earthquake, are doubling their efforts to speed up the rehabilitation and renovation of schools that were partially or completely damaged, in order to provide the best learning conditions for students in the various communes of the province.

This operation, with an estimated total cost of around 4 billion dirhams, is part of the program to rebuild and rehabilitate the most affected schools, respecting the heritage and architectural specifics of the impacted areas, and in compliance with updated seismic safety standards.

After the launch of technical studies with the relevant offices, reconstruction and rehabilitation work on the affected schools is progressing as planned so that these schools will be operational by the start of the 2024/2025 school year.

This is the case for the Boulakhras school unit, located in the rural commune of Lamzoudia, where rehabilitation and renovation work has been completed. This "pioneering" school, composed of three classrooms and equipped with a new play area and sports fields, is already ready to welcome more than 85 students between preschool and primary levels.

"The Boulakhras school is one of the institutions benefiting from the program launched by the relevant ministry for the rehabilitation and renovation of institutions affected by the earthquake of September 8, 2023," said Imad Al Mustapha, Head of Legal Affairs, Communication, and Partnership Services at the Provincial Directorate of National Education, Preschool, and Sports in Chichaoua.

After months of work and thanks to the mobilization of all concerned parties, including the local population, the school will welcome students at all levels starting this school year, added Mr. Al Mustapha in a statement to MAP.

In this regard, he explained that the rehabilitation and renovation work on the school focused on outdoor areas, repairing cracks, renovating and painting classrooms, landscaping green spaces and a play area, as well as rehabilitating equipment for physical education.

The school has undergone a significant transformation on all levels thanks to the efforts made by stakeholders under the supervision of local and provincial authorities, added Abdeddaim Sekkouti, President of the Boulakhras School Parent Association.

He further explained that the institution now has a new appearance, and the students are very excited to return to class in the best possible conditions. A similar atmosphere can be felt in the commune of Mzouda, 85 km from Lamzoudia, where all concerned parties have been hard at work for months to rehabilitate the Aït Nasser school, which was partially damaged by the earthquake.

The work on this institution, which will welcome nearly 170 students across three classrooms from preschool to primary levels, is in its final phase, amidst the joy of the residents and the students eager to resume classes.

"The promises made by all parties have been fulfilled, and the work carried out, covering all areas of the institution, has completely transformed the school into an ideal space for teaching and learning," said Omar Jaadane, treasurer of the Aït Nasser School Parent Association, who praised the commitment and involvement of the authorities and the local population in successfully completing this project.