Doha – Police in Agadir arrested seven individuals Thursday morning for allegedly facilitating cheating during Morocco’s Baccalaureate exams. The suspects include two students, two private education teachers, and two university students.
The operation, coordinated between the Provincial Judicial Police Service and the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), began when authorities caught two Baccalaureate candidates using sophisticated wireless electronic equipment connected to communication networks inside an examination center.
A simultaneous raid on an apartment in the same city led to the arrest of two private education teachers and two university students. These individuals allegedly provided exam answers to the arrested candidates through electronic equipment in exchange for money.
Authorities seized mobile phones, a computer, cash, and receipts for financial transfers suspected to be proceeds from this criminal activity.
The arrested suspects remain in police custody, while the two student candidates are subject to judicial investigation procedures under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office.
In a similar case in Al Hoceima, the Provincial Judicial Police Service arrested a man in his twenties suspected of managing WhatsApp groups that receive and leak Baccalaureate exam answers in exchange for money through financial transfers.
The public prosecutor at Al Hoceima Court of First Instance, Issa Yahyaoui, ordered the suspect’s detention pending investigation.
Reports indicate a growing commercial aspect to exam cheating, with accounts on social media platforms offering “suitable prices” for “facilitating the examination process and providing appropriate answers.”
These services operate remotely, outside school walls, making enforcement increasingly difficult despite heightened security measures.
These arrests come as the standard session of Morocco’s unified national Baccalaureate examination began Thursday across the country.
According to the Ministry of National Education, 495,395 candidates are participating this year, including 385,330 school students and 110,065 independent candidates.
Strict measures, yet loopholes remain
Despite strict security measures, including electronic scanners to prevent mobile phones or electronic devices from entering examination centers, news reports indicate that exam questions were seen circulating on social media shortly after the exams began.
A ministry official told reporters that “procedures are strict and firm” but acknowledged that some photos of exam papers were taken after envelopes were opened, which the official distinguished from true “leaks” that would occur before envelopes are opened.
Law 02.13 on examination fraud stipulates that those convicted of leaking exam subjects or helping provide answers face prison terms of three months to two years and fines of MAD 1,000 to MAD 20,000 ($100 to $2,000), or one of these penalties.
Candidates caught exchanging information or using unauthorized electronic devices face fines of MAD 2,000 to MAD 5,000 ($200 to $500).
The ministry has mobilized over 50,000 exam proctors across 1,995 examination centers containing 29,998 examination rooms. Results of the regular session will be announced on June 14, while the make-up session will be held July 3-7, with results expected on July 12.
Read also: 495,000 Candidates to Sit for Morocco’s Nationwide Baccalaureate 2025 Exams
