Maths through theater: Messaoud Ariba’s winning equation

Monday 20th January 2025 01:23 PM

It was in an elegant Moroccan djellaba that Messaoud Ariba took the stage in New Delhi to receive one of the most prestigious awards in the field of education: the Global Teacher Award 2024. The only representative of Arab and African countries among the winners, this Moroccan teacher won over the jury thanks to an idea that was as daring as it was innovative: using theater to teach mathematics. The idea impressed educators who came from the four corners of the globe to evaluate the most original initiatives in country education. “Mathematics is not a monster,” he says with a benevolent smile. “They can be an adventure, a story that we tell and live.” It is this conviction which pushed Messaoud Ariba to create “Math Kids», an educational project where equations and theorems are transformed into characters and theatrical plots.

The idea is simple but ingenious. It consists of simplifying learning, making figures accessible, less abstruse and above all more fun. This project, initially supported by a local innovation center, in partnership with theEuropean Unionquickly gained popularity. Crowned “Best Educational Project” in several national and regional competitions, its impact has exceeded expectations. “It’s more than a tool for my students,” says Mr. Ariba. “I also participated in the training of more than 350 teachers in the region of Taroudantwhere I practice to help them integrate this method into their own classes.”

Impressive results

The results of this approach were not long in coming. “The majority of my students subsequently moved towards scientific fields,” proudly explains this teacher who perfectly embodies the sense of commitment. “Some have won national math competitions, while others have simply learned to love the discipline, which is a victory in itself.” For him,

Theater is much more than entertainment. It offers children a space to express themselves, develop their self-confidence and, above all, break the psychological barrier which often keeps them away from mathematics. “It’s a way of telling them: you are capable,” he insists.

Thus, this international recognition crowns more than 25 years of career dedicated to education. But for Messaoud Ariba, this victory goes well beyond his own journey. “It is a tribute to all committed Moroccan teachers, to their creativity and their dedication,” he says. His presence in New Delhi, as the only representative of the Arab and African world, carried a strong message. That of the importance of innovation in education, even in modest contexts. “We have shown that, even with few resources, we can produce an enormous beneficial impact,” he emphasizes.

Back in Taroudant, where he still teaches at the Ibnou Aachir school group, Mr. Ariba does not intend to stop there. He continues to inspire his students and colleagues, convinced that education, when driven by imagination and commitment, can transform lives. “School theater is an open door to the future,” he concludes. “And my role is to show them that they can cross the threshold.” In New Delhi as in Taroudant, the curtains are not about to fall on this exceptional educational adventure.