Laâyoune’s Paul Pascon French International School has started the 2026-2027 academic year at its brand-new campus. Construction of the new school was symbolically launched on February 25, 2025, by French Senate President Gérard Larcher during his historic visit to the region. The event was attended by Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra Wali Abdessalam Bikrat, House of Councillors President Mohamed Ould Errachid, as well as numerous civil and military officials.
The new building provides a modern educational environment that meets the highest international standards and is designed to foster students’ personal development and curiosity.
On this occasion, Le360 spoke with the school’s principal, Yan Cordonnier. He stressed that the institution’s role extends far beyond education, noting that since its establishment in Laâyoune in 2012, it has become an educational institution fully engaged with its local environment.
The official explained that the school contributes to the region’s development through a high-quality French educational offering that is open to Morocco and its identity, as well as to the wider world through its international mission. He also noted that it is the only school in the region accredited by the French Ministry of National Education.
This official accreditation, he added, enables the school’s students to obtain the internationally recognized French baccalaureate, opening the way for them to pursue higher education in Morocco, France or other universities around the world.
The school principal praised the new campus, saying the space embodies the institution’s philosophy of openness to others, as well as to different cultures and languages.
In this regard, he noted that the institution allows students to study several languages, including French, Arabic, English and Spanish, strengthening their ability to communicate and engage with an international, multicultural and multilingual environment.
The school’s primary director, Christel Cordonnier, said for her part that the institution supports students from preschool through secondary education. This integrated educational pathway aims to ensure their overall success and open them up to the wider world.
This educational project is part of the Mission laïque française’s 2030 strategic plan. Its ambition is to consolidate knowledge while developing students’ autonomy, critical thinking, creativity and resilience. The French curriculum also promotes multilingual immersion through the continuous learning of French, English, Arabic and Spanish.
Read also : Laayoune’s university map grows with engineering school, military medicine
She stressed that students are not simply recipients of knowledge but active participants in their own learning. Through project-based learning and experimentation, the school encourages teamwork, initiative and hands-on experience.
Students Have Their Say
Several students interviewed at the library shared their enthusiasm about starting the new school year in the new facilities. They all praised the stimulating environment, both inside and outside the classroom. Some described their experience at Paul Pascon French International School as formative and said they hope to continue their education there through the baccalaureate.
The inauguration marks a turning point for Laâyoune’s educational landscape. Alongside the Spanish mission La Paz, the school strengthens the city’s international educational offering. This multicultural dynamic is fully in line with Morocco’s vision of education as a driver of openness to the world.
