The Mathematics Curriculum in Primary and Lower Secondary Grades

In Morocco, a new primary school curriculum is under development in line with the vision of the National Reform for Education and Training and in compliance with the National Education Emergency Support Program. The curriculum reflects the newly adopted competency based approach, which emphasizes the need to train students to face the challenges of globalization and technological development.¹⁰ Accordingly, as was the case with the 2002 mathematics and science curriculum, the new curriculum draws upon the tenets of the competency- and value-based approaches, as well as the innovative active learning-oriented pedagogical model.¹¹

The mathematics curriculum content for the fourth and eighth grades reflects continuity between primary and secondary education, enabling students to strengthen previously learned concepts and skills while developing new ones. Generally, the curriculum enables students to strengthen their mathematical reasoning. Specifically, the fourth grade mathematics curriculum aims to enable students to do the following:

Enjoy learning through practical activities
Gain confidence and competence in using numbers and number systems
Develop problem solving abilities
Explore shape and space within a range of meaningful contexts
Develop measuring skills in a range of contexts
Develop insights into the importance of mathematics in a growing number of occupations and in daily life

The fourth grade syllabus for mathematics is organized around the following areas:¹²

Place value—Numbers up to 999,999 (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and using written and mental calculation strategies)
Measurement—Length, weight, time, capacity, and volume
Geometry—Basic geometric patterns, such as rectangular and square symmetry, rotational symmetry, and translations

The eighth grade mathematics curriculum aims to enable students to do the following:

Acquire and apply knowledge and skills pertaining to number, measurement, space, and statistics necessary for use in everyday mathematical situations
Acquire mathematical knowledge and skills necessary for further mathematics studies
Develop the ability to make logical deductions and inductions through problem solving
Acquire oral and written language skills to communicate mathematical ideas and arguments clearly
Develop a positive attitude toward, confidence in, and enjoyment of mathematics
Develop the ability to monitor and evaluate their own progress
Develop the skills necessary to plan and carry out projects

The content of the mathematics syllabus for the eighth grade includes the following components:¹³

Number—Numerical operations on rational numbers, powers of real numbers, and solving equations and formulas for a given variable
Statistics
Geometry—Axial symmetry, the Pythagorean theorem, the cosine of an angle, vector equality, and vector addition