The issue concerning the problems of novice teachers especially after the government had built different upper secondary schools in remote and deep areas in the country, poses serious hindrances to some novice teachers in Morocco. This, indeed, takes me back in thoughts and time about 16 years ago when I was assigned the post of an in-service teacher in Akka-Tata,Morocco. I "landed" there on a September dusty day in what looked like a ghost-like area in the middle of nowhere. Hadn't it been for the specter of idleness and unemployment, I would have made my way back on my footsteps to where I belong.
It was unbearable to adapt to the climate, people and everything. In Summer it was stiflingly hot, it gives you the impression that the sun is so closer to earth that you can fry an egg on the sand. In Winter, the cold was simply bitter to say the least. And those were the only seasons there! In fact, I developed a kind of allergy to the cold because of the scarcity of facilities of medication. For shopping and food, the" Souk" was once a week, but there was not much to buy; sometimes money turns valueless. Suppliers argue that the purchasing power of the population is weak. Butchers, like taxi drivers, look for customers before they can work. If you need a kilo of good meat, beef or mutton, you have to book about a fortnight in advance simply because butchers lose when they slaughter male animals; desired meat there being cow. I got a terrible diarrhea once when I was invited by a local-by the way people there are hospitality personified .I had to move to Tata, which is 60 kms away, for a medical check up to find out that the cause was:" cow-meat disease" .Besides, transportation was another concern when holidays approach. The only existing bus sometimes doesn't stop when full; one more day waiting. It may take you two long days to get to Ouarzazate before you can get another lift to Zagora, my hometown.
I hope that my life story, which I actually have cut short, hasn't been too boring ., it was only to alleviate new teachers’ problems. You know, the beginning of one's career is not always" beer and skittles." It is full of inconveniences which unfortunately represent stumbling blocks to teachers' quest for a minimum comfort in order to ensure a wishful maximum in quality teaching. Moreover, the students need to be taught after all and I am sure that what is to come is worth the trouble you are taking. Every disadvantage now will become only part of memories and will undoubtedly help you overcome future more serious life problems.