As the back-to-school season unfolds in Morocco, both parents and students are busy gearing up for the new academic year. The preparations encompass a wide range of essentials, from traditional school supplies and textbooks to modern necessities such as internet subscriptions and electronic devices. However, this contemporary scene starkly contrasts with the experiences of previous generations who, in their time, navigated the back-to-school rituals without the aid of the internet, iPads, or the vibrant, sophisticated school supplies that have become commonplace today.
Fond recollections emerge from the past, evoking images of chalk sticks, crisply ironed smocks, and the meticulous task of wrapping every schoolbook in protective plastic. To delve into the nostalgia of this momentous time of year, three Moroccan women, each having experienced school across different decades, share their cherished memories of 'la rentrée' with Yabiladi.
Soumia's Cherished Moments of La Rentrée
Soumia, a mother of three in her sixties, encapsulates her back-to-school memories through the profound connection she shared with her father. Recalling her first day of primary school, she vividly remembers her father's unwavering efforts to ensure everything was perfect, the special dress she wore, and the fresh scent of new textbooks. "I remember it so vividly that I still have the very first school card that was made for me when I started school. My father was very present throughout it all," she shared candidly.
Enrolled in a public girls' school in Khouribga during the early 1970s, Soumia reflects on the rituals that surrounded the back-to-school season. "My father would ask my brothers and me to each bring him our own list of school supplies and books, and there was such a wonderful atmosphere at home around all these preparations, including covering the schoolbooks, preparing our notebooks, and carefully writing our names on them," she recalls. These cherished memories have lingered with her into retirement, inspiring her to foster the same excitement during her own children's back-to-school preparations. "When I later had my own children, I carried that same excitement into their back-to-school preparations," she reminisced, emphasizing her dedication to preserving the legacy of her educational journey.
The Evolution of Supplies and Traditions
Saloua, a mother of three in her forties, shares her own back-to-school experiences from the 1980s, highlighting the thrill of new clothes and school supplies. On the first day of school, she recalls being well-dressed and only needing a piece of paper and a pen to jot down the textbooks and required materials. "It always started with the teacher introducing themselves, followed by the students doing the same. Then a new battle would begin: buying the supplies and, in my case, wrapping the books," she explained, noting that her older brother initially helped her with this task until she mastered it herself and began assisting her younger siblings.
Saloua's experience also reveals a unique aspect of her schooling. "In middle school, we did not actually buy the textbooks. We rented them through the school," she elaborated, recalling how students would pay a fee at the start of the year for access to the books, with partial refunds upon their return at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Hayat, a mother now in her thirties, reminisces about the shopping frenzy that accompanied the back-to-school season. "What I remember first is walking into supermarkets or markets and seeing all the books, schoolbags, clothes, and tabliers. Back then, the tablier was a must," she noted. By the time she was in school, the variety of supplies had expanded significantly, offering more than just basic writing instruments. "Don't even get me started on the pencil case and all those colored pens. They were so beautiful," she laughed, recalling how the excitement peaked with the coveted schoolbags, especially those with wheels that made a student the envy of their peers.
Even now, as the new school year approaches, the essence of 'la rentrée' continues to evoke a sense of nostalgia and excitement, reminding us of the shared experiences and traditions that bridge generations in Morocco's educational landscape.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
