Thousands of Moroccan teachers took to the streets demanding improvements in their working conditions, signaling a widespread call for action within the education sector.
The protests took place on International Teacher Day, with the educators also denouncing the new statute introduced by Morocco’s Ministry of National Education.
Many have criticized the statute for neglecting demands from unions and teachers, and being unfair to teachers and students alike.
The demonstration was held by the National Coordination of Secondary Education Teachers, and the Moroccan National Coordination of Teachers Forced into Contractual Teaching, who have long protested against inequality in the sector.
The groups have accused the government of discriminating against teachers, as contractual teachers do not enjoy some of the same benefits and employment protections that their permanently employed counterparts do.
“We condemn this new statute, that we consider a vandalism that threatens the national educational system,” Ammari Mustapha, a member of the National Coordination of Secondary Education Teachers, told Morocco World News (MWN).
“The biggest victim will be the Moroccan students, public school students,” he added, specifying that the statute “did not take into account the needs and circumstances” of various groups of interest.
“We warn the ministry from this position that it is pushing towards a frustration in the educational sector without match, which could lead to a halt of studies,” Ammari added, calling for the statute to be rescinded until it is re-evaluated.
He concluded by calling on unions and teacher groups that approved of the statute to re-evaluate their views.
Moroccan teachers’ frustration with authorities has been mounting over the past few years, as they have continued to demand better work conditions and pay, with many calling for lengthy strikes.
Last year, such protests devolved into violence as demonstrators clashed with local authorities.
