Classes Suspended in Tangier Region as Heavy Downpour Continues

Rabat – The regional education academy of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region decided to suspend classes in all educational institutions on Monday due to heavy rain, snow, and strong winds.

The academy director Rachid Rayan confirmed the suspension, noting that the decision applies to both public and private schools.

Speaking to SNRT News, Rayan stated that the decision was made in coordination with local authorities following the red alert issued by the Moroccan weather authority this weekend. 

Studies are set to resume on Tuesday, and students will be compensated for the lost hours, he added.

Multiple provinces across the region saw heavy rain and strong winds this weekend, prompting several schools in the region to suspend classes on Saturday. These included Tetouan, Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Ouazzane, Larache, Tangier-Assilah, and Fahs-Anjra.

The Ministry of Education issued guidelines for schools to follow during these extreme weather conditions to ensure the safety of students and staff. These include 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 well-being.  

In addition, the ministry urged schools to warn students and parents in advance about class suspensions to avoid unnecessary and risky travel.

To effectively manage the crisis, school directors have formed local emergency teams to monitor weather updates and road conditions and ensure safety measures before reopening schools.

Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Ouarzazate also experienced significant rainfall of up to 130 millimeters and strong winds reaching 95 kilometers per hour. 

Snowfall reaching around 10 centimeters also came down in some higher regions of Al Hoceima and Chefchaouen.