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By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 04/10/07

[Sarah Touahri] The first years of a child's life have a great affect on later success in school.

Moroccans are enrolling more children than ever into pre-school education programmes. Even parents from the underprivileged sectors of society are growing more aware of the importance of this education and try, despite their limited means, to enrol their children in private establishments. In rural communities, however, such institutions are largely lacking.

According to managers and owners of pre-school establishments, this branch of teaching requires a great deal of development before it can reach its rightful place. The latest figures, published in 2005 by the High Commission on Planning, indicate that 740,511 children under the age of six, or half of all pre-school age students, study in pre-schools. Nearly all of those who attend modern pre-schools live in major cities. Islamic pre-school education remains popular however, with 88.4% of the children in the age group in attendance throughout the country.

According to the Directorate of Co-operation and Private Education within the Ministry of National Education, the pre-school sector lags far behind the objectives laid out in the national education and training charter, particularly those concerning schooling for girls.

According to Rahim Anouloufe, who manages a pre-school in Rabat, there are persistent flaws in this educational provision: it is not accessible to all, there is no official supervision of teachers, there are contradictions in the perceived objectives of such teaching and there is a lack of ongoing training for pre-school staff.

The National Education Ministry has called for international co-operation and input from civil society, as well as the direct involvement of local communities in the expansion of pre-school education. This will involve devoting part of the income of provincial councils and local authorities to fund pre-school education. On the international level, the Moroccan government hopes to obtain aid for education.

Teacher Abbas Farnatchou told Magharebia that the first few years of a child's life have a great affect on a student's success in school. He added that early teaching, such as pre-schooling, opens up linguistic pathways for a child, contributes to reducing school drop-out rates and child labour, and helps to ground the child in his or her culture, "Hence the importance of involving the state and bringing [pre-school education] into state schools."

Until now, pre-school education has been essentially confined to the private sector. There are very few state schools which offer nursery classes. According to the education ministry, priority goes to the betterment of primary education. Only when this has happened can pre-school and primary education be brought together to represent a coherent educational foundation.

Until pre-school education becomes widely available in state schools, many parents, because of their low incomes, are suffering to stump up the price of kindergarten classes. "I know pre-school education is important in the life of a human being," said Abderrahim Maghloufi, a mechanic. "That's why I’m struggling to pay 300 dirhams every month for my daughter's school, even though I don’t have the funds."

The quality of television productions aired by Moroccan networks during the month of Ramadan has left many viewers wanting. Viewing figures reach their highest levels during the holy month and state-run channels invest their resources accordingly to present the maximum number of national productions. The programs and the people who create them are often criticized for not showing more interest in current affairs.

Jamal Baridi, a bank clerk, expressed his frustration at the absence of productions dealing with issues such as the fight against terrorism. "The Maghreb has really borne the brunt of terrorist attacks. We were expecting our artists to raise awareness among young people, but they only show trivial things."

Teacher Abderrahmane El Bachir agreed, saying that given the lack of programmes dealing with subjects of concern to the public, the viewer has no choice but to look elsewhere. "Arabic satellite channels put out programmes which deal in depth with a good number of issues. What a shame Moroccans are not looking at the problems threatening us, like security. We need awareness-raising programmes," he said.

Abdelkébir Fennane, an arts critic, told Magharebia that mediocrity is the hallmark of Ramadan programming. "Most productions arise from pure improvisation at all levels: script, production, actors... artists keep reproducing the same style and wear themselves out trying to raise a laugh using outdated methods which are no longer able to satisfy today's Moroccans," he said.

Fennane said he cannot understand the reasons why Channel 1 suspended the activities of its script reading panel, which was established in 2005 to sift through artistic works.

Mustapha Mesnaoui, former chairman of the panel, explained that it disappeared following the creation of the National Radio and Television Company (SNRT), whose charter did not extend to the panel's work.

Artists defend themselves as far as possible. Actor Abdelkader Moutaa said television production is acceptable and, if the level of creativity falls, there is no need to blame the actors, who are bursting with potential. "In Morocco, there is a crisis of creativity and imagination, which has been going on for years. Script-writers, dramatists and specialist technicians are sorely lacking," he pointed out.

State television directors reject the criticism, claiming that all efforts have been made to keep viewers satisfied. Nevertheless, the SNRT has called in a specialist team to review the programmes to air at peak times during Ramadan.

A representative cross-section of viewers was mobilised to view the various sitcoms and television films, talk shows and soaps. The programming department was keen to explain that the group reacted favourably to the programmes and that the proportion of national productions will not exceed 10% of programming, which includes a majority of Arab and international productions. In fact, to satisfy the broadest possible audience, programming choices include Arab, international and Indian films, as well as Egyptian, Syrian and Moroccan soap operas.

Alami Khallouqi, Director of Programming for Channel 1 has announced that TVM is not taking production quality lightly, and that everything has been carefully prepared in advance. He said the channel has redoubled its efforts to offer diverse and innovative programming to viewers. "Nothing has been left to chance. We have put in place a profusion of quality national productions, no fewer than five Arab soaps per day, plays, the best of international and particularly Arab productions, evenings of entertainment programmes and major sporting events, especially the national football championship."

Magharebia speaks with Fnaïre rap group member, Mohcine, about the foundations and goals of the group and its messages.

The three-member rap group Fnaïre symbolises a new wave of Moroccan artists who are breaking with the old style. In an exclusive interview with Magharebia, member Mohcine explains the context in which his group has developed.

Magharebia: You represent this new generation of Moroccan artists who have chosen Rap. What’s special about Fnaïre?

Mohcine: First, it’s important to say that the group’s name Fnaïre is really meaningful, because in Darija [Moroccan dialect] it means "the lights". Without sounding pretentious, we want to shed light on the world of music in its purely spoken style. Our choice of this unmistakably American type of music is because it offers varied expression in composition, and we can adapt it to our Moroccan culture and identity. I suppose it’s our way of keeping at the forefront of Moroccan song. In fact, through rap or hip-hop we want to modernise Moroccan song, which has started to show its age and seems to be of little interest to young people. That’s our main challenge.

Magharebia: Many fans see your style as hip-hop.

Mohcine: Absolutely. In this musical style ... there are several categories, such as Graviting, DJing, MCing, break dance or, of course, rap. As for our group, we’ve chosen the last of these disciplines, but [it is] a traditional Moroccan rap.

Magharebia: The future looks bright. What do you think?

Mohcine: We’re on the right track, as you can see from the interest that young Moroccans have shown in our music. I think that in our songs they’ve found a space to deal with their everyday problems, or simply their main pre-occupations. It’s all reconciled us with our Moroccan roots.

Magharebia: What are the main messages you’re trying to get across to Moroccan youth through your songs?

Mohcine: The essence of our traditional rap is just the meaning of the words, the meaning of the lyrics – which revolve around a single message, which is the proud recognition of your Moroccan identity, your origins and your culture. There's a variety of subjects, including the problems of women, love for your country, belief in a better future for our country... Unlike some, of which there are many, who just peddle pessimistic talk for young Moroccans, encouraging them to leave the country, sometimes paying with their lives... Fnaïre says to them quite simply that a dose of optimism is always needed to move forward. It’s not utopia, but we think Morocco needs its young people to evolve, move forward and change. That’s our firmly held belief.

Magharebia: In your songs, are you engaging in a battle against negative ideas which influence many young people today?

Mohcine: Peace and living in harmony in your country are the main messages coming through our songs, aimed particularly at young people, who are our main target. We try to focus our attention on the values of tolerance and respect for other peoples’ lives. Often we don’t say it in so many words in our songs, but it’s our way of thwarting integrist ideas and any feeling of hatred. The nature of the musical style we have chosen helps a lot in putting forward these kinds of principles. In the songs "Yed El Henna" or "Tagine Loghate" on the latest album, there’s a reference to this kind of problem.

Magharebia: Like other Moroccan rappers, you’re accused of using vulgar words in your lyrics. Do you use rap music to break linguistic taboos?

Mohcine: Darija is the most widely spoken language in Morocco. We see no problem in using it. In our songs, you’ll find a mix of words from here and there, and the message is clear, laced with humour: the language used doesn’t really matter; the main thing is to express yourself and be proud of your plurality.

Magharebia: Tell us a bit about your latest album "Yed El Henna".

Mohcine: First of all, "Yed El Henna" is the story of a meeting with a poet... With a mix of musical styles and words in Darija, Tamazight, English and French, our latest album is a journey to the heart of a diversified Morocco, full of messages of love and peace, where authenticity rhymes with solidarity. We also look at a youth lacking direction. The 12 tracks on the album grab the clichés and complexes of our society by the throat. I think that, apart from being mastered in the Rolling Stones studios in London, "Yed El Henna" remains a purely Moroccan product. Nearly sixty musicians took part in this great adventure, which took more than two years of hard work before seeing the light of day.

The investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance appears to be in disarray after it emerged that the police chief sacked as head of the inquiry may not be replaced for a week.

Madeleine McCann chief detective sacked In full: The Madeleine McCann case Timeline: how the story unfolded Chief Inspector Goncalo Amaral was summoned back to the regional Policia Judiciaria (PJ) headquarters in Faro and removed from the Madeleine case after launching a furious tirade against British police and the four-year-old's parents. Goncalo Amaral accused UK police of pandering to the McCanns Colleagues said he had been made a "scapegoat" because of the British media attacks on his "honour as a policeman". Portuguese police admitted that a new head of the inquiry – who will also be chief of the Portimao branch of the PJ - will probably not be appointed until next week. Reports in Portugal claimed the investigation had now reached an impasse. The McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell called for the new police chief to "re-energise" the inquiry and said Gerry and Kate would return to Portugal for questioning if required. "What they want now is whoever takes over to refocus the inquiry on to finding Madeleine," he said. "There have been so many distractions, so many unsubstantiated allegations swirling around all of this out there and repeated here in Britain. "Surely it is now time to for all of that nonsense to end and for the search for Madeleine to be re-energised." The outgoing chief tried to downplay his remarks, the Correio da Manha newspaper reported, saying they were directed not at British police but private investigators hired by the McCanns, both 39-year-old doctors from Rothley in Leicestershire. The row was sparked when Diario de Noticias reported Amaral as saying: "British police have only investigated tips and information developed and worked on for the McCanns, forgetting that the couple are suspects in the death of their daughter." Some colleagues believe he broke strict police secrecy rules and may have been behind stories criticising Gerry and Kate, the local papers reported. Others told Portuguese television reporters that the sacking had been inevitable for some time and came as no surprise. Amaral, who turned 48 on the day of his sacking, shrugged off his removal from the inquiry – apparently done by fax by PJ national director Alipio Ribeiro reading: "Transferred to Faro for convenience of the service". He told a reporter from newspaper Jornal de Noticias: "A policeman does not limit himself to one case. There is plenty of work still to be done." Carlos Anjos, president of the Judicial Police Inspectors Union who has also repeatedly criticised the McCanns' actions, said: "He was the victim of personal attacks by the British media which not only questioned his honour as a policeman, but also attacked him as a human being." The corpulent Amaral refused to speak to reporters as he arrived at work in Faro. He left the office at lunchtime in a black Mercedes, accompanied by the overall head of the investigation, Guilhermino Encarnacao, 59, chief of the Algarve Policia Judiciaria and deputy national director. The new head will be handpicked by the national leadership of the force in the capital Lisbon but a police spokesman said the issue remained "unresolved". "We hope the decision-making process will be brief. There is no interview process, it is a case of the national directors choosing a candidate," she said. "But Friday is a national holiday in Portugal, so it is most likely to be next week before the decision is taken." from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/03/nmaddy203.xml