Bac exams matter, but ...


Bac exams matter, but …


       “It matters to us that our children in our school achieve their very best academically, and it matters to their parents. However, we firmly believe that other things also matter; knowing how to be kind and respectful, being able to show consideration to one another, confidence, team work, charitable deeds and much more.” Lincoln Minster school head teacher.

A secondary school library in England
       Indeed, while most teachers and parents alike are more likely to be interested in their children’s school achievement, their immediate communities and society are more worried about whether they  are appropriately taught how to show empathy, appreciate others’ interests, show up on time, be honest, respect environment …  . Make no mistake, these noble ends will never  be met  via merely doing scientific experiments, maths, physics  or studying languages and geography. Rather, action should be taken to go beyond that. Research has shown that reading books is the shortest cut to attaining  both high academic school success and socially balanced conduct. In other words, students readers have more chances to outperfom non-readers. Books can significantly contribute not only to students’ personal development, but also to their cognitive and and social growth. Undoutedly , reading has become a necessity more than ever before.
    
     Yet unfortunately, Moroccan students and schools are far behind these unlimited benefits not because they are not as smart as their peers across the world, but simply because their schools and government apparently do not consider reading one of their top priorities.
       
       A couple of days ago, I was in England where I visited a number of primary and secondary schools. The most common feature between them is  the huge importance the British people  give to their school libraries. Students’ schedules do not contain only the regular subjects, but also compulsory reading sessions in their school libraries. It is true that their students are not that hooked by reading, but at least they are given access to highly equipped reading spaces where they can enjoy a wide range of books, magazines and various digital resources.
     
        Let me confess it all at once, in the middle of those fabulous facilities, I felt ashamed ; I felt like throwing up when my mind in a blink of an eye without taking my permission started comparing our libraries in my beloved country to theirs. I felt also pity on my students who are eager to read, but cannot  find adequate enough books within their reach to borrow and enjoy reading at home.
      
       Luckily for me and my students, we have an American fiend, Barb Mackraz, who created MLP – Morocco Library Project www.moroccolibraries.org  . Thanks to her tireless efforts and generous support, we have some GREATbooks to read. I hope that one day all Moroccan schools will be provided with enough resources so that students can flourish as individuals and citizens of the world.


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