Rabat delegation explores innovation, quality frameworks and cross-regional collaboration
The British Council successfully hosted four distinguished partner school leaders from Morocco as part of the MENA UK Study Tour 2026, which took place from 18 to 24 January 2026.
The Moroccan delegation joined 38 senior education representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Lebanon for an intensive week exploring contemporary approaches to school leadership, educational innovation, and quality assurance that align with Morocco's education development priorities.
The 12th edition of the MENA UK Study Tour continued its legacy as the premier professional learning experience for education leaders across the region. Themed, ‘Where Vision Meets Practice: Leadership, Wellbeing and AI for Safer, Smarter Schools’ this year's programme addressed critical priorities facing Moroccan educators, from integrating emerging technologies to building comprehensive frameworks for teacher development and student success.
Moroccan participation in the study tour reflects the deepening partnership between the British Council and Morocco's education sector. As Moroccan schools work to enhance teaching quality, strengthen leadership capacity, and align with international educational standards, exposure to UK best practices provides valuable insights that can be adapted to Morocco's unique bilingual and multicultural educational context.
Throughout the week, Moroccan delegates explored artificial intelligence integration in teaching and school administration, evidence-based strategies for teacher recruitment, development and retention, whole-school approaches to student and staff wellbeing, UK quality assurance standards and inspection frameworks, inclusive education and differentiated teaching methodologies, and robust governance, safeguarding and compliance systems. The comprehensive programme included visits to leading UK institutions
These carefully curated visits provided Moroccan educators with direct observation of innovative pedagogical approaches, effective leadership models, and quality systems.
Mark Walker, Director, English and Exams at the British Council, noted: ‘The British Council remains deeply committed to supporting schools to navigate rapid change, from digital transformation to new regulatory expectations. The 2026 tour created space for learning, reflection, and co-creation of solutions that will directly strengthen teaching, leadership and student outcomes across the region.’
Sofiene Chaouachi, Exams Director, MENA West at the British Council, added: ‘The Moroccan delegation brought distinctive perspectives that enriched our programme tremendously. Their insights about operating in bilingual contexts, their questions about balancing international standards with local needs, and their vision for Moroccan education sparked valuable discussions among all participants.’
Aicha El Khalkhali, owner and Head of Agharass Campus, Tangier said: ‘The MENA UK Study Tour provided exactly the kind of practical, real-world insights Moroccan schools need as we strengthen our educational offerings. Observing how UK schools integrate technology while maintaining strong teacher-student relationships was particularly valuable. Beyond specific practices, this experience reinforced that Moroccan educators are part of a global community committed to educational excellence.’
Programme Highlights
- British Council HQ: Expert briefings on AI in education, safeguarding and teacher retention
- UK school visits: Lesson observations, leadership meetings and pastoral systems
- Workshops and roundtables: Ofsted preparation, digital literacy and inspection frameworks
- Cultural experiences: Exposure to UK heritage and education traditions
- Networking: Cross-regional peer learning and emerging partnerships
The MENA UK Study Tour 2026 facilitated extensive cross-regional networking, with Moroccan delegates engaging in meaningful exchanges with education leaders from across the MENA region.
A Continued Commitment to Strengthening Education
Through the MENA UK Study Tour, the British Council continues to support Moroccan schools through our Partner Schools network, leadership development programmes and ongoing professional engagement designed to enhance education outcomes for learners nationwide.
ENDS