Morocco gets $450 Mln WB loan to improve childhood services in rural zones

The World Bank has approved a $450 million loan to support Morocco’s long-term strategy to strengthen human capital and fund the 3rd phase of the country’s National Initiative for Human Development, focusing on early childhood development (ECD).

“Morocco’s future social and economic trajectory is conditioned by improving its ability to accelerate progress in accumulating human capital and its equitable distribution,” said Jesko Hentschel, World Bank Maghreb Country Director.

The WB funding will help the country enhance access to quality ECD services for rural populations. Uneven development among children in Morocco’s rural areas has been related to their lack of access to quality early childhood development programs and their limited exposure to services focused on nutrition, health, and early cognitive stimulation.

“Investing in the health, nutrition, and education of young children is the best investment a country can make, and we are pleased to support this strategic initiative”, said Fadila Caillaud, senior economist at the World Bank.

For her part, Samira Nikaein, Education Specialist working for WB, said the monitoring, evaluation, and coordination of early childhood development services will be strengthened using the country’s institutional mechanisms already in place.

“Monitoring the holistic development of children from birth until their entry into primary school is key to enabling ECD systems around the world to support vulnerable children effectively,” she underlined.