• 28 pupils

  • 1 classrooms

  • 1 computer room

  • 1 covered playground

Bioclimatic Schools

Pupils and supervising staff

Environmental sponsorship

Although the number of children enrolled at schools in Morocco has significantly increased over recent years to reach 92.7% currently, the dropout rate at primary level remains high, due to the long distances and lack of public transport.

Context

What’s more, the Moroccan educational context is plagued by a significant infrastructure deficit, in particular quality infrastructure. The objective of the Kingdom, today, is to build or rebuild 7,000 schools across the country.

In the commune of Idelsane, near Skoura in the Moroccan High Atlas, the Oulad Merzoug school was dilapidated. Built with prefabricated materials, and not adapted to the climatic constraints of the location, it did not provide an environment conducive to learning for its 117 pupils.

Objectives

This project has 5 objectives:

  1. The rebuilding of 3 new primary classrooms using locally available natural materials (mud, wood, reeds);
  2. Conversion of one of the existing buildings into a multimedia room and a staff room;
  3. Creation of a playground/snack room;
  4. Installation of a toilet block;
  5. Creation of soilless vegetable gardens to educate children regarding the challenges of sustainable agriculture.

Impacts

Environmental impacts

  • Low-carbon buildings;
  • Energy efficient buildings;
  • Use of locally available materials;
  • Sustainable construction;
  • Limited energy needed for construction and low energy consumption during use;
  • Search for natural insulation techniques adapted to the local context.

Socio-economic impacts

  • Increased capacity and comfort for pupils;
  • Training and skills transfer;
  • Respect for the cultural context;
  • Promotion of local craftsmen;
  • Involvement of the community and local authorities.

Achievements

The construction of this bioclimatic school combines:

  • ancestral techniques using rammed earth and adobe (brick made from a mixture of mud and water, moulded and then dried in the sun);
  • modern techniques of thermal passivity and energy efficiency (ventilation, insulation, orientation of buildings).

The bioclimatic school was inaugurated on 22 March 2017. It received the “Green Flag” label from the Mohammed VI Foundation on 22 January 2016 in recognition of the commitment of its teachers and pupils to a sustainable development approach: low energy consumption, waste sorting and development of biodiversity in the school.

Photo credits : Mohamed Hammi, Fondation GoodPlanet

Operational partner

    MCA
    Ministère de l'Education nationale