Rabat – Several schools in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region have suspended classes due to extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong winds.
The regional education directorates decided to take this step after the national weather service issued a red alert warning of dangerous weather.
The affected areas include Tetouan, Al Hoceima, Ouazzane, Chefchaouen, Larache, Tangier-Assilah, and Fahs-Anjra. Tetouan announced early this morning the suspension of classes across all schools.
With the move, the Ministry of Education aims to ensure the safety of students and school staff. The ministry has issued guidelines for schools to follow during extreme weather conditions, including suspending school transport in areas at risk of floods and landslides, closing schools temporarily when safety is at risk, and coordinating with local authorities to monitor the situation and ensure safety.
Schools have been instructed to warn students and parents in advance about class suspensions to avoid unnecessary, and risky, travel. The decision to reopen schools will be made once the weather improves and conditions are safe for students to return.
To manage the crisis effectively, school directors are forming local emergency teams to monitor weather updates and road conditions, work with local authorities and civil protection services, and ensure safety measures are in place before reopening schools.
Once the weather improves, schools will resume classes immediately and make plans to recover lost learning time by offering extra lessons and support sessions.
The General Directorate of Meteorology (DMN) has issued warnings for severe weather, including heavy snowfall, strong winds, and intense rainfall across multiple provinces.
It forecasted up to 60 cm of snow in Ifrane, Azilal, Beni Mellal, and Midelt from Saturday to Monday. It issued an orange alert for Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Guercif, Sefrou, Taza, Boulemane, and Khenifra.
In addition, it warned that heavy rainfall (80-130 mm) will affect Tangier Asilah, Chefchaouen, Tetouan, and Al Hoceima. Winds reaching 95 km/h will also hit several regions, including Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Ouarzazate.
