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Rabat – Teachers’ unions and the government signed an agreement on the status of civil servants in the education sector on Tuesday after months of strikes.
The singing followed the agreement that the government reached with five of the most representative labor unions. The signing ceremony was chaired by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch.
According to a statement, the minutes of the agreement cover a number of amendments related to the educational and financial aspects of education sector civil servants, paving the way for implementing the roadmap for public school reform.
The protocol of the agreement entitled “For a quality public school for all” was signed by the Minister of National EducationChakib Benmoussa, the Minister of Economic Inclusion, Younes Sekkouri, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa.
The list of signatories of the agreement included the National Federation of Education (UMT), the National Union of Teaching (CDT), the Free Federation of Education (UGTM), the National Federation of Education (FNE), and the National Union of Teaching (FDT).
In a statement following the signing of the agreement, the Head of Government office indicated that, in line with the conclusions of the meetings held by the tripartite ministerial commission with the most representative teaching unions, it was agreed to confer public servant status on all workers in the national education sector, subjecting them to the provisions of the general statute of civil servants.
Another key component of the agreement is the definition of the weekly teaching hours for education professionals by a decision of the governmental authority in charge of national education, the statement added.
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The decision will be taken after consultation with the Permanent Commission for the Renewal and Adaptation of Curricula, with regard to the streamlining of curricula and programs and their impact on the reduction of teaching hours and academic rhythms.
The agreement also includes a special professional performance evaluation system based on measurable criteria that take into account the specificities of the national education sector.
In addition, a compensation ratified on the basis of the agreement of December 10, 2023 will be granted to civil servants ranked in the exceptional rank (beyond the scale), with a monthly amount set at MAD 1,000, starting from grade 3 instead of grade 5.
The agreement foresees an increase in additional allowances for aggregated teachers by a net monthly amount of MAD 500, to be calculated upon retirement, along with an increase in additional compensation for orientation counselors and pedagogical planning counselors by a net monthly amount of MAD 300.
The ministerial commission and the most representative unions agreed to create an exceptional rank beyond the scale with a special level for professionals whose career culminates at the exceptional rank (beyond the scale). The measure will take effect starting in 2026, in conjunction with the outcomes of central social dialogue.
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Both parties also agreed to establish a unified status specific to aggregated teachers during the year 2024, based on the conclusions of a technical committee composed of government representatives and the most representative teaching unions, alongside addressing retirement contributions for civil servants recruited between 2017 and 2021.
During the signing ceremony, the Head of Government praised the positive momentum that marked the establishment of the unified status specific to civil servants in the national education sector.
He expressed the government’s strong belief that achieving the objectives of the education sector reform requires strengthening the position and role of teachers to help create the appropriate conditions to address the challenges of a profound overhaul of the educational system, enhance confidence in public schools, promote their attractiveness, and improve their performance.
The agreement is part of the second round of dialogue between the government and union representatives, following the first round that culminated on December 10 with the signing of a historic agreement. That earlier protocol contained gains for the teaching profession, particularly regarding salary increases, in addition to resolving several pending issues.
Following the December 10 agreement, a general salary increase was decided for all teaching staff, regardless of status or grade, with a net monthly amount of MAD 1,500, disbursed in two equal parts (January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025).
