Overview of Deaf Education in Morocco

PDF (563KB), PP.86-100

Views: 0 Downloads: 0

Author(s)

Abdelaziz Arssi 1,* Otmane Omari 2

1. Department of Didactics, Faculty of Education Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

2. Polydisciplinary Faculty of Larache, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Larache, Morocco

* Corresponding author.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2024.03.07

Received: 4 Dec. 2023 / Revised: 8 Jan. 2024 / Accepted: 14 Feb. 2024 / Published: 8 Jun. 2024

Index Terms

Deaf, communication, inclusion, sign language, special education, mainstreaming, disability

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of Deaf Education in Morocco documenting its historical evolution and systematically assessing current instructional methodologies. With a focus on learning and teaching environments, the study aims to offer a wide understanding of the educational opportunities, teaching methods, and teacher training programs within Moroccan schools serving the Deaf community. The research questions guide the inquiry addressing historical paths, the influence of teaching methods, and common challenges. By identifying challenges and evaluating practices, the research makes methodological and theoretical contributions to the fields of special education and Deaf education in Morocco. This foundational resource, which is lacking in Moroccan research, serves as a basis for future investigations into instructional approaches. The study navigates through Morocco’s educational history from colonial impact to post-independence reforms emphasizing challenges like pedagogical strategies, infrastructure limitations, and social integration issues. The findings confirm the importance of shifting negative attitudes, fostering inclusivity, and reassessing policies to enhance the educational journey for Deaf learners in Morocco.

Cite This Paper

Abdelaziz Arssi, Otmane Omari, "Overview of Deaf Education in Morocco", International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science(IJMECS), Vol.16, No.3, pp. 86-100, 2024. DOI:10.5815/ijmecs.2024.03.07

Reference

[1]Gillot D. The Rights of the Deaf: 115 Proposals: Report to the Prime Minister (Le Droit des sourds: 115 propositions: rapport au Premier ministre). Paris : La Documentation Française, https://www.vie-publique.fr/rapport/24385-le-droit-des-sourds-115-propositions-rapport-au-premier-ministre (1998, accessed 7 September 2023).
[2]WHO. Deafness and hearing loss, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss (2023, accessed 12 August 2023).
[3]Arssi A. Towards the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Morocco. The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, 2024, Vol. 2 (1), pp. 87–105, https://ijtie.com/v201/n41 (accessed 8 February 2024).
[4]Ministry of Education, UNICEF. National Report EFA 2011 (Rapport National EPT 2011). Rabat, https://www.men.gov.ma/Documents/Morocco_Rapport_EPT2011fr.pdf (October 2011, accessed 13 October 2019).
[5]Ruchti JJ. Morocco’s Constitution of 2011 (English translation). William S. Hein & Co., Inc. 2012, pp. 1–47, https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Morocco_2011.pdf (accessed 27 July 2023).
[6]Laskier MM. The Alliance Israelite Universelle and the Jewish Communities of Morocco, 1862-1962. State University of New York Press. Epub ahead of print 1983. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/book10108.
[7]Usuki A. The Jews of Morocco and Israel: A Preliminary Note on Recent Trend of Study. Mediterranean World, Vol. 14, pp. 47–58, 1995.
[8]Alberstein D. The Activities of ORT in Morocco. Ms. of ORT, a valuable primary source. Geneva, https://ortarchive.ort.org/fileadmin/d/world_ort_headquarters/d05a050.pdf (1969, accessed 3 September 2023).
[9]Rietveld-van Wingerden M, Westerman W. “Hear, Israel” The involvement of Jews in education of the deaf (1850-1880). Jewish History, Vol. 23 (1), pp. 41–56, 2009.
[10]Gautié M. Special Education for the Hearing Impaired; Report No. 2: Kingdom of Morocco - Mission (L’Éducation spéciale des déficients auditifs; rapport no. 2: Royaume du Maroc - mission). Paris, https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000044873 (12 May 1981, accessed 21 July 2023).
[11]Ministry of National Education. Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities: Guide for School Directors (L’éducation Inclusive au Profit des Enfants en Situation de Handicap: Guide pour les directeurs des établissements scolaires). Rabat, https://www.men.gov.ma/Ar/Documents/dc/guide-directeurs-fr.pdf (2019, accessed 13 October 2023).
[12]RTI International. Situation and Needs Assessment for Students Who are Blind/Low Vision or Deaf/Hard of Hearing in Morocco. Washington, D.C.: USAID, https://shared.rti.org/content/situation-and-needs-assessment-students-who-are-blindlow-vision-or-deafhard-hearing-morocco (October 2016, accessed 2 September 2023).
[13]Padden CA. Sign Language Geography. In: Gaurav M, Donna JN (eds) Deaf around the World: The Impact of Language. Oxford University Press, pp. 19–37, 2010.
[14]The Higher Council of Education and Training (Le Conseil Supérieur de l’Enseignement et de Formation). Respect for the Rights and Inclusion of People with Disabilities (Respect des droits et inclusion des personnes en situation de handicap). Rabat, https://www.cese.ma/media/2020/10/Rapport-Respect-des-droits-et-inclusion-des-personnes-en-situation-de-handicap-VF.pdf (2020, accessed 27 May 2023).
[15]Handicap International. Understanding the Challenges of Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities in the Souss-Massa Region, Summary Report, BAKSHI, P. (Comprendre les défis de l’éducation inclusive des enfants handicapés dans la région Souss-Massa, Rapport synthèse, BAKSHI, P.). February 2017.
[16]The High Commission for Planning (Haut-Commissariat au Plan). Persons with specific needs in Morocco according to the General Population and Housing Census of 2014. (Les personnes à besoins spécifiques au Maroc d’après les données du Recensement Général de la Population et de l’Habitat de 2014). Rabat, https://www.hcp.ma/attachment/2235507/ (23 September 2014, accessed 17 September 2023).
[17]Ministry of Solidarity (Ministère de Solidarité). National Survey on Disability - ENH (Enquête Nationale sur le Handicap - ENH). Rabat, https://social.gov.ma/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/%D9%85%D8%A4%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B9%D8%
A7%D9%82%D8%A9-1-1.pdf (2016, accessed 19 May 2022).
[18]School-to-School International. Instrument Development and Pilot Report Improving Deaf Children’s Reading Through Technology in Morocco, https://allchildrenreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Institute-for-Disabilities-Research-and-Training-E%CC%81cole-Nationale-Supe%CC%81rieure-des-Mines-de-Rabat-Baseline-Report.pdf (July 2017, accessed 22 October 2023).