Morocco’s government approved three draft decrees on February 10 resulting from input gained through several rounds of dialogue with educational sector professionals.
Minister of Education, Preschool and Sports Chakib Benmoussa presented the draft decrees.
Benmoussa had already held a dialogue with social partners in the sector on January 18 to activate the government program, reaffirming the government’s commitment to engage in dialogue with concerned parties.
A statement from the government pointed out that the first draft Decree 2.22.69 is set to amend and supplement Decree 2.02.854 issued on February 10, 2003. They relate to the statute of employees of the Ministry of National Education.
The second draft Decree 2.21.544 rectifies and supplements Decree 2.11.672 issued December 23, 2011. These decrees address the creation and organization of regional centers for the professions of education and training.
The third draft Decree 2.22.71 is designed to amend and supplement Decree 2.85.723 issued on April 6, 1987. It is regarding establishing the Center for Educational Guidance and Planning.
The decrees are designed to solve four issues, the first of which regulates the access and promotion of educational administrators.
The minister’s changes also address counselors in educational advising and planning centers. The requirements allow setting conditions for access to the Center for Educational Counseling and Planning.
The requirements stipulate that primary and secondary education teachers, who are assigned to teach outside their original corps, be appointed within the framework of a qualified secondary education teacher. The amendments also suggest that the appointment of teachers should take into consideration their grades after passing the exam.
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The statement also outlined that the issue of teachers with higher degrees will be addressed gradually by passing the measures outlined in the Finance Bill to create the required positions.
Annual competitions within the limitations of the jobs should be held, with successful first-class graduates selected from trained secondary education teachers. The competition is scheduled for the end of 2022, according to the statement.
However, Morocco’s educational sector suffers many other problems. The government implemented new rules that sparked outrage among Moroccans, many of whom will now be considered unsuitable for teaching jobs.
The age restriction for applying for a job in public education has been lowered to 30 years old as part of the reform, down from 40-45 years in prior recruitment campaigns.
The government’s new recruitment measures have sparked uproars in numerous places around the country, with observers and many candidates for teaching jobs condemning the new age limit as discriminatory.
