Rabat: The partnership agreement signed on Wednesday in Rabat between the National Observatory for Children’s Rights (ONDE), chaired by HRH Princess Lalla Meryem, and UNESCO, reflects a strategic commitment to the fundamental right of every child to quality, inclusive, equitable, and transformative education throughout life, stated the Observatory’s Vice-President, Ghizlane Benjelloun.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the signing ceremony saw Benjelloun emphasize that this partnership is part of implementing the Right to Education Assessment Tool within a systemic transformation perspective. This tool, developed by UNESCO under the STEER initiative, aims to support Morocco in conducting a structured self-assessment of its legal and policy frameworks in light of international standards on the right to education.

The tool’s focus on “4As” – accessibility, availability, acceptability, and adaptability – is further enriched by accountability, Benjelloun explained. Through this agreement, ONDE and UNESCO aim to systematically analyze how Morocco’s national legal and policy framework aligns with its international commitments on education rights. The partnership seeks to enhance national capacities for human rights-based analysis, structure a coherent national roadmap supporting education reforms, and position Morocco as a regional leader in evaluating education rights.

Benjelloun expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his High Directives guiding the Observatory’s mission, rooted in social justice, equity, and integrated human development. She also thanked HRH Princess Lalla Meryem for her unwavering commitment to children’s rights, which inspires the institution’s work.

The partnership is seen as the beginning of sustainable cooperation aimed at yielding tangible results for children and youth in Morocco, reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a regional reference in education rights.

Charaf Ahmimed, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office, highlighted the partnership as a significant step towards a more equitable and inclusive education system. He emphasized that education, as a fundamental right, is crucial for sustainable transformation, requiring a comprehensive approach that integrates quality, equity, and governance.

Through this collaboration, ONDE and UNESCO aim to effectively realize education rights by placing a child rights-based approach at the center of public policies and positioning Morocco as a regional pilot in self-assessment efforts.