New Moroccan education centres
Animal welfare lessons have now started in two of Northern Morocco’s most remote refuges – Khenifra and Midelt. In both centres, rooms have been converted to become bright and airy classrooms and children are visiting on a regular basis.
The arrival of the first school group to be taught in the new classroom in Midelt coincided with that of a young puppy - an adorable, docile, scruffy little black dog, destined to become part of the education programme.
At first, some children appeared anxious and were reluctant to touch or even go near the puppy. But quickly they threw aside inhibition and fear and, within a few minutes, the puppy had won everyone’s hearts and was being transported around the centre like a babe in arms.
At SPANA’s Khenifra centre, technician Mohamed Mezouar has taken charge of the new classroom and is also responsible for developing a small area of garden dedicated to attracting wildlife.
Set amongst fruit trees, the main feature of the garden is a small, natural pond with a fountain which cascades down through a rockery. Creating an area of ‘natural’ beauty should inspire visiting children to take up nature studies.
The new classroom leads off from the garden and, like the Midelt classroom, it has bright red tables and chairs which help give the room a warm atmosphere.
The first class to visit Khenifra’s classroom was keen to show the SPANA staff what they had been learning in their school in preparation for the visit and gave a short performance before the lesson began.
Since then, the Director of the local area education office has visited the refuge to see SPANA’s education programme. He was so impressed that he has agreed to send a group of local teachers for a training course on animal welfare and environmental protection.
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