HIBAPRESS
The Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, Mohamed Saïd Barrada, stated on Tuesday in the Council of Advisors that the number of beneficiaries of the back-to-school grant reached approximately 3.4 million beneficiaries, including 1.934 million in rural areas, representing more than 60 percent, an increase of 19 percent compared to the last academic year.
Mr. Barrada emphasized, in response to an oral question about "strengthening social support programs for enrolled children," that social support is a fundamental pillar for promoting schooling and combating school dropout, especially in rural areas, highlighting that this support witnessed a significant expansion during the 2025-2026 academic year, embodied in the inclusion of family allowances and the back-to-school grant to ensure equal opportunities and motivate families to continue their children's education. He added that the number of students benefiting from school transportation services during the current season reached about 700,000 students, including about 600,000 in rural areas, with an increase of 4 percent compared to the last academic year. He also pointed out that 217,000 students benefit from boarding school services, including 163,000 in rural areas, with an increase of 8 percent, while the number of beneficiaries of school meal services reached 75,000 students, including 69,000 in rural areas, with an increase of 4 percent.
