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Rabat – The enrollment of students in Moroccan universities for the 2024-2025 academic year has reached 1.3 million, representing a 5.9% increase from the previous year, as reported by Abdellatif Miraoui, the Minister of Higher Education.
During yesterday’s session at the Chamber of Representatives focused on updates for the current academic year, Miraoui reported that 344,679 new students have enrolled in higher education institutions, with 91% attending public universities.
He discussed the development and diversification of training programs to meet the needs of various economic sectors, noting that over 4,000 programs have been accredited — 3,000 in public institutions and 1,000 in private ones.
Miraoui also mentioned a 21% increase in enrollment for limited-access programs, with the number of available places in centers of excellence rising significantly to over 15,000, up from around 6,500 last year.
He further characterized this academic year as a crucial period of transformation, citing the second year of a new educational reform in higher education that is starting to yield positive results.
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The medical faculties of Morocco in particular have been through a tremendous amount of turmoil since last year. Medical students have been boycotting classes, training, and exams since December 2023, driven by concerns over the quality of their education.
A major issue has been the government’s controversial decision to shorten the duration of medical training by one year, which has sparked criticism and raised alarms about declining educational standards.
In response to questions about the medical students’ boycotts, Miraoui remarked, “The door for dialogue remains open for those who are reluctant to engage, but it will not remain open indefinitely.” He urged all students to return to take their exams, stating that “60% have already completed their exams, leaving 40% still to participate.”
Addressing the duration of the medical curriculum, the minister said, “We previously had a six-year program that was extended to seven years, but we have now returned to six years.”
He noted that “students who prefer either a six- or seven-year program can choose accordingly, so it raises the question: why are students still discussing this?” He also dismissed concerns about the new six-year structure, which is the crucial focal point of student boycotts, stating, “The idea that this six-year curriculum compromises the quality of the program is greatly exaggerated.”
