Rabat – The government has not yet decided on the increase in school books prices for the upcoming academic season, Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said on Thursday.
Baitas, who also serves as Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of parliamentary relations, made his remark during a press briefing during the weekly government council held in Rabat.
The minister acknowledged that the government received a request from publishers, requesting to impose an increase in school book prices.
The statement followed media reports, suggesting that publishers want to see a 25% increase in the prices of school books during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Publishers complained about increased prices of basic materials but the “government is still studying the case and will make its decision soon,” Baitas said.
An increase in the price of school textbooks could add up to growing public discontent amid the already extremely high prices in commodities.
Parents have already protested an increase in textbook prices in 2018. During that year, school supplies cost parents as much as MAD 3,000 to MAD 4,000.
The rise in prices did not just affect textbooks but also tuition fees.
Moroccan social media users frequently take to online platforms to protest recent skyrocketing prices of commodities and the resulting drop in purchasing power.
Gasoline is also among the products that remain highly impacted by the crisis. Diesel and gasoline prices per liter are ranging between MAD 15 and MAD 14, sparking public outrage.
Baitas attempted to address people’s concerns, saying that Morocco remains dependent on purchasing gas from the international market. International markets are currently in crisis due to fractured post-COVID-19 supply chains, climate change and the conflict in Ukraine.
He said that price increases covering commodities are due to this global context. “This is not an excuse. The government is doing what it can and will not fail to do more to avoid such crises.”
Read also: Fez EuroMed University, Israel’s Shenkar Engineering College To Collaborate on Research
