Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. —W. B. Yeats
Civic learning is required in a modern democratic society. Numerous reports make the compelling case that educators must impart skills, dispositions, and understandings necessary to equip young people to participate actively and fully in their society. This approach requires more of the people who care deeply about the future of their country.
Throughout the world today, many nations are experiencing a transformation of values, behaviors, attitudes, and relationships with others as a result of globalization. Morocco is such a nation. The country has not only a profoundly traditional culture but also a strong draw to the modern world—and it stands on the threshold of a challenging new time in its history. King Mohammed VI's message on civic conduct and the nation's Supreme Council for Education's activities are lighting the fire under Morocco's education system. Education is gaining in importance, and efforts are underway to amend relevant laws to make them more compatible with universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Supreme Council's view of schools as being "the ever-changing mirror of tomorrow's society" provides a clear framework for promoting civic attitudes in Morocco.
Focusing on Civic Education
On January 29 and 30, 2008, I participated in a civic education workshop in Marrakech, Morocco, entitled "Civic Attitudes in Practice." The workshop was funded through the Civic Education Partnership Initiative by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The International Democratic Education Institute at Bowling Green State University (Ohio) led this collaborative curriculum development project in partnership with the Moroccan Center for Civic Education, the Moroccan Ministry of Education, Hassan II University, and California's Center for Civic Education.
Our workshop resource team consisted of representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Jordan, Mexico, Senegal, Ukraine, and the United States. The team was responsible for working with key Moroccan education policymakers to help them develop a white paper on civic education to be written following the workshop.
To help integrate civic education into the school curriculum, policymakers and educators must think and plan holistically and incorporate civic education throughout curricular framework, assessments, and accountability systems. The crafting of the white paper required our Moroccan colleagues to assess the current state of civic education within Morocco and develop a strategic plan for achieving those goals appropriate to the Moroccan context.
Linking Academic Subjects to Civic Lessons
The report Restoring the Balance Between Academics and Civic Education in Public Schools(2005), released by ASCD and the American Youth Policy Forum, raised a critical question that policymakers and education leaders should continue to address in the educational reform environment: "How can we balance the dual mission of academic proficiency and civic education (with engagement) in our public education systems without compromising either?" The Moroccan action plan is expected to provide a clear pathway for educators to link academic subjects with service learning, character education, or other strategies that support greater civic knowledge and engagement exercises for students. The related challenge is to elevate civic education priorities and foster links between deep learning, community problem solving, and service learning opportunities.
To their credit, the policymakers in Morocco are intent on building a national movement to institutionalize civic education and promote participation in democracy and the rule of law in their nation. The government's focus on schools as a centerpiece and means of promoting civic behavior during this new phase in the nation's history is significant. Citizenship and human rights education are now recognized as essential elements in the Moroccan education system.
Hopefully, the outcomes of the workshop and value of the forthcoming white paper will inform and direct future trends in civic education in Morocco. Ultimately, success will be grounded in strong collaborative efforts that link community resources—schools, families, higher education, community organizations, local and national governments, and the business and nongovernmental sectors—in support of civic learning and civic engagement. This balance will bring the promise of more civically engaged citizens for generations to come in Morocco.