In early 2001, training in Rabat and Agadir was conducted for a core group of 42 teachers, who were nominated by CFIs in selected provinces. With their newly developed technology skills, this group will work as Master Information Teachers to help train others and, in general, to serve as champions of educational technology responsible for training and retaining ICT-savvy teachers in the educational system. Recognition and credentialing of Master Information Teachers is expected to ensure their commitment to the education sector.

Due to the enthusiasm of teachers, it is possible that the number of teachers trained in the first year may exceed the two-year target of 350 teachers by as much as four times. The first training session alone, which focused on Basic Computer Skills, included 262 participants.

The CATT-PILOTE is operating in seven provinces, selected, in part, on the basis of needed improvements in girls’ enrollment and retention in school. They include Sidi Kacem, which was the first to receive Internet connectivity, Errachidia, Al-Hoceima, Essaouira, and Ourzazate, followed by Tiznit and Taroudant. Other USAID-funded projects also operating in these provinces and are formulating collaborations with CATT-PILOTE—the flagship project on Morocco Education for Girls (MEG) and the Girls’ Education Activity (GEA).