Taking Technical Education Seriously in MENA: Determinants, Labor Market Implications and Policy Lessons

Our study focuses on the labor market implications of vocational and technical education in the MENA region, analyzing the case of Egypt and Morocco. We try to assess the validity of those vocational systems by looking at the determinants of schooling choice and the effect of segregation between vocational and general education in rate of returns to education, wage differentials and wage inequality. Drawing conclusions from our analysis, we outline the main challenges faced by policy makers, namely the streamlining of inefficient education systems and the redressing of social stratification furthered by schooling choice based on the successful experiences of South-East Asian economies.