Residents of Casablanca, Morocco’s Urban Jungle are excited to learn that the city will create 16 reading areas at local parks. The decision was inspired by a report published by the Social Economic and Environmental Council (CESE). Entitled “Promoting Reading, and Urgency and Necessity,” it states that over 32.2% of the Moroccan population who are 10 years old or older cannot read. As a result, several goals and strategies have been discussed to promote reading. The park library project is the most recent. The Casablanca district is currently taking bids from companies who are interested in “constructing reading kiosks in the public gardens of Casablanca.” Interested parties have until September 17, 2019, to submit their proposals. The project is estimated to cost 1.8 Million MAD ($186,354 USD)
Other initiatives suggested by the CESE include offering prizes and grants for Moroccan authors. Furthermore, the council said that Morocco must begin implementing regular reading activities in the school system and suggested adding a national reading week.