Latest news with #Morocco
Arab News
2 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
'We must help them': Morocco students get peers back in school
TIFLET, Morocco: Moroccan student Said Rifai, 15, is on a mission to help his peers pursue education in a country where an estimated 270,000 children drop out of school each year. 'We must help them come back,' said Rifai, who goes to middle school in Tiflet, a town east of the capital Rabat, and has already helped several of his friends back to school as part of a national youth-led effort. To tackle the problem, which educators and officials warn exacerbates social inequalities and drives poverty, Moroccan authorities offer dropouts a chance back in with support from fellow students. One of Rifai's classmates, Doha El Ghazouli, who is also 15, said that together they had helped several friends return to school 'before they abandoned their future.' Huda Enebcha, 16, told AFP how she and her friend Ghazouli managed to convince a neighbor to resume her studies. 'We helped her review the most difficult subjects, and we showed her videos of some school activities,' said Enebcha. 'She finally agreed after a lot of effort.' To ease the transition back into the education system, the 'second chance school' scheme offers some teenagers vocational training alongside remedial classes, with an emphasis on giving former dropouts agency and choice. Hssain Oujour, who leads the national program, said 70 percent of the teenagers enrolled in it have taken up vocational training that could help them enter the labor force, with another 20 percent returning to the traditional school system. Across Morocco, a country of 37 million people, classrooms are often overcrowded, and the public education system is generally viewed as inferior to private institutions, which charge fees that can be prohibitive for many families. Around 250 million children worldwide lack basic literacy skills, and in Morocco, nearly one in four inhabitants — around nine million people — are illiterate, according to the UN children's agency UNICEF. Dropout rates tend to be higher in rural and impoverished areas, said Said Tamouh, the principal of the Jawhara School in Tiflet that the students interviewed by AFP attend. An NGO-run 'second chance school' nearby has some 110 students, who can sign up for art classes, hairdressing training or classical Arabic language courses. Sanae Sami, 17, who took up a make-up class, said she was 'truly' given another shot at pursuing education. 'When you leave school, there's nothing for you,' she said. 'That's why I decided to come back, especially thanks to the teachers at this center.' Hafida El Fakir, who heads the Salam association which runs the school, said that 'support and guidance' were key in helping students 'succeed and go far.' Amine Othmane, a student who had re-entered the system last year with encouragement from his friends, is now helping others. To convince dropouts, he said, 'they first have to regret leaving and want to return.' Back in school, 18-year-old Aya Benzaki now hopes to achieve her dream of graduating with a diploma, and Jihane Errafii, 17, said she was grateful for the friends who had supported her journey. 'I just needed someone to lend me a hand.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
😳 Sevilla miss out as Ounahi move slips away
Sevilla FC was looking to strengthen its midfield with Azzedine Ounahi, the Moroccan international who had shone at the last World Cup, but in the end, the Moroccan will sign for Olympique de Marseille. According to Estadio Deportivo, Olympique already has a deal in place with Spartak Moscow, pending only the approval of the player Ounahi, who is 23 years old. Advertisement Ounahi arrived at Spartak in 2023 after his outstanding performance in Qatar and, although his time in Russia did not meet expectations, he found his best form last season during a loan spell at Panathinaikos, where he scored five goals and provided seven assists. A new setback for the new sporting director, Antonio Cordón, who had been exploring various signings to strengthen the technical project in Nervión. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 MIGUEL MEDINA - AFP or licensors
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘People told me it gave them a sense of hope': Ismail Zaidy's best phone picture
Ismail Zaidy took this image, with the help of his siblings, in the gardens of the famous La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech. The Moroccan photographer received special authorisation to shoot there in 2021, when Covid restrictions were in place. He took his brother, Othmane, as shoot assistant and his sister, Fatimazahra, was the model in the image, wearing a vintage dress their mum had bought at a flea market. The small team fixed flowers to a plastic sheet and took a number of shots over a three-hour period; Othmane appeared in some, too. Zaidy recalls what a treat it felt to be outside. 'Getting access to open spaces was limited, so being outdoors – even briefly – felt refreshing and special,' he says. ' It was a fairly chaotic period for all of us, but over time things calmed down and we found a rhythm. It actually gave us more time to create together.' Fatimazahra was 18 at the time, and Zaidy notes how 'her thoughtful personality is reflected in the mood of the image. In the end, I selected one with her eyes closed because it felt calm and quiet.' When Zaidy first shared this photo during the pandemic, he got a flood of positive feedback. 'People told me it gave them a sense of peace and hope. That was exactly my intention. I wanted it to bring optimism in uncertain times. Knowing it had that effect made me feel truly happy.'
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘People told me it gave them a sense of hope': Ismail Zaidy's best phone picture
Ismail Zaidy took this image, with the help of his siblings, in the gardens of the famous La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech. The Moroccan photographer received special authorisation to shoot there in 2021, when Covid restrictions were in place. He took his brother, Othmane, as shoot assistant and his sister, Fatimazahra, was the model in the image, wearing a vintage dress their mum had bought at a flea market. The small team fixed flowers to a plastic sheet and took a number of shots over a three-hour period; Othmane appeared in some, too. Zaidy recalls what a treat it felt to be outside. 'Getting access to open spaces was limited, so being outdoors – even briefly – felt refreshing and special,' he says. ' It was a fairly chaotic period for all of us, but over time things calmed down and we found a rhythm. It actually gave us more time to create together.' Fatimazahra was 18 at the time, and Zaidy notes how 'her thoughtful personality is reflected in the mood of the image. In the end, I selected one with her eyes closed because it felt calm and quiet.' When Zaidy first shared this photo during the pandemic, he got a flood of positive feedback. 'People told me it gave them a sense of peace and hope. That was exactly my intention. I wanted it to bring optimism in uncertain times. Knowing it had that effect made me feel truly happy.'
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Everything you need to know about Wafcon 2024 finals
The 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) is drawing ever closer, with Morocco staging the finals for the second time in a being pushed back a year because of scheduling issues, the tournament kicks off on Saturday, 5 July when the hosts take on Zambia at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat (20:00 GMT).Listeners to the World Service in Africa will be able to hear live radio commentary of that game, the group clash between Mali and Tanzania, both semi-finals and the nine-time champions Nigeria are also in action on the opening weekend, facing Tunisia in Group B, while holders South Africa begin the defence of their title against Ghana in Group C on Monday, 7 when are the other group fixtures? What is the format of the tournament? Where are matches being played and when do they kick off?BBC Sport Africa provides you with all the information ahead of the 13th edition of Africa's biggest women's footballing event. What are the groups? The 12 teams have been split into three groups of Morocco have a tough assignment in Group A, having been paired with a Zambia side which defeated them in qualification for the 2024 Olympic Atlas Lionesses will also face Senegal and DR Congo, the top-ranked side from pot draw was kinder to Nigeria, who are bidding for their first title since 2018 and remain Africa's top-ranked side at 36th in the Super Falcons will take on Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana - the lowest-ranked nations from each C sees holders South Africa take on Ghana and Mali, who are both back at the finals for the first time since 2018, and Tanzania, who are making just their second appearance following on from their debut in top two teams in each group and the two best-ranked third-placed teams will advance to the A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania. Wafcon 2024 schedule and kick-off times After the opening match, at least two games will be played each day during a group stage that runs until Monday, 14 are being held at 13:00, 16:00 and 19:00 (all times GMT) during the group stage, with the latter two kick-off times being used in the final two rounds of group games and the knockout stages, which begin on Friday, 18 July. Wafcon 2024 venues: Where is it being played? Morocco hosted the Wafcon finals three years ago, but none of the three venues used then will stage games this time North African nation is carrying out several redevelopment projects as it prepares to stage the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and co-host the 2030 Fifa World stadiums will be used in five host cities, with two in Stadium, Rabat (capacity 21,000)El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia (capacity 15,000)Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (capacity 30,000)Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (capacity 10,000)Honneur Stadium, Oujda (capacity 19,800)Berkane Stadium, Berkane (capacity 15,000) Who are the favourites? Of the 12 nations competing in Morocco, only Nigeria and South Africa have previously lifted the Wafcon Super Falcons travel to the kingdom with a rich pedigree under homegrown coach Justin Nnadozie has been named as Africa's best goalkeeper for the past two years and forward Asisat Oshoala brings star quality and a winning Desiree Ellis looks to defend the trophy with a Banyana Banyana side who will be without forward Thembi Kgatlana because of personal Jermaine Seoposenwe has impressed for Monterrey in Mexico and Hilda Magaia, who shared the Wafcon golden boot in 2022, provide a cutting edge in front of has invested heavily in footballing infrastructure in recent years but its women's side are yet to emulate the success of the country's men in becoming the top team on the Atlas Lionesses have a Women's World Cup winner in the dugout in the shape of Jorge Vilda, who guided Spain to the title in finished third at the previous edition and boast the reigning Women's African Footballer of the Year in Barbra Banda, who was forced to miss out on the 2022 Orlando Pride striker forms a formidable partnership with Racheal Kundananji, with both forwards among the top four most expensive female players of all time. Swiss coach Nora Hauptle will mastermind the Copper Queens' bid after a spell in charge of will be a big ask for any of the other eight sides to mount a serious challenge for the title, with Ghana the only nation among them to appear in a final (1998, 2002 and 2006). Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 group fixtures All kick-off times 5 JulyGroup A: Morocco vs Zambia, Olympic Stadium, Rabat (20:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in AfricaSunday 6 JulyGroup A: Senegal vs Ivory Coast, El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia (14:00)Group B: Nigeria vs Tunisia, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00)Group B: Algeria vs Botswana, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)Monday 7 JulyGroup C: South Africa vs Ghana, Honneur Stadium, Oujda (16:00)Group C: Mali vs Tanzania, Berkane Stadium, Berkane (19:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in AfricaWednesday 9 JulyGroup A: Zambia vs Senegal, Mohammedia (16:00)Group A: DR Congo vs Morocco, Rabat (19:00)Thursday 10 JulyGroup B: Botswana vs Nigeria, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00)Group B: Tunisia vs Algeria, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)Friday 11 JulyGroup C: Ghana vs Mali, Berkane (16:00)Group C: Tanzania vs South Africa, Oujda (19:00)Saturday 12 JulyGroup A: Morocco vs Senegal, Rabat (19:00)Group A: Zambia vs DR Congo, Mohammedia (19:00)Sunday 13 JulyGroup B: Nigeria vs Algeria, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)Group B: Tunisia vs Botswana, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)Monday 14 JulyGroup C: South Africa vs Mali, Oujda (19:00)Group C: Ghana vs Tanzania, Berkane (19:00) Wafcon quarter-final fixtures Friday 18 JulyQF1: Group A Winner vs Group C/B 3rd Place, Rabat (19:00)QF2: Group B Winner vs Group A Second Place, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00)Saturday 19 JulyQF3: Group C Winner vs Group A/B 3rd Place, Oujda (19:00)QF4: Group B Second Place vs Group C Second Place, Berkane (16:00) Semi-finals Tuesday 22 JulySF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4, Rabat (19:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in AfricaSF2: Winner QF2 vs Winner QF3, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in Africa Third place play-off Friday 25 JulySF1 losers vs SF2 losers, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (19:00) Wafcon 2024 final Saturday 26 JulySF1 winners vs SF2 winners, Olympic Stadium, Rabat (20:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in Africa
