Mohammedia – The start of the 2025-2026 school year in Ifrane has been marked by controversy after Al Akhawayn School, affiliated with Al Akhawayn University, expelled 16 students following several disputes over tuition fees.
The problem began when the school administration introduced sudden increases in tuition fees, in some cases reaching 200% compared to the previous year. Parents said the new fees were not justified, pointing out that the quality of education and services at the school did not match the high costs.
Parents accused Emmanuel Lacoste, the school director, of acting in a heavy-handed manner, allegedly using threats and pressure to force families to accept the increases. They also claimed the expulsions targeted children of families active in the parents’ association, despite these families paying their fees in full.
The case has raised further controversy as Lacoste, who was hired two years ago, is not Moroccan. According to Moroccan law, directors of certain public and non-profit schools must hold Moroccan nationality.
Parents also reportedly questioned his professional background, noting that he previously faced complaints in US schools and was dismissed before moving to Morocco. They described his style as authoritarian, allegedly attributing this to his past service in the US Marine Corps.
PJD politician and former Minister of Justice El Mostapha Ramid also weighed in on the controversy in a Facebook post on Friday morning, declaring: “All solidarity with the parents of the 16 students expelled by the American marine from a school affiliated with Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane.”
Ramid also expressed solidarity with doctors Youssef Bouabdellah and his wife, Imane El Makhloufi, whose children were among those expelled. Both figures are well-known on social media, with millions of followers. Bouabdellah gained prominence for serving in Gaza during the ongoing Israeli genocide.
Ramid further called on the Ministry of Education to send a fact-finding committee and urged the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) to ensure protection for the children, stressing that “whatever the situation of the parents, children must not be punished.”
Parliamentarian Ahmed Abbadi of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) also intervened, submitting a written question to the Minister of Education on the case. Abbadi described the expulsions as “arbitrary and authoritarian” and pressed the ministry to clarify the circumstances and outline what measures it intends to take.
Many Moroccan influencers and public figures have also echoed this stance online, sharing messages of solidarity with the expelled students and their families.
‘Not just about fees’
Several parents told Moroccan media that Lacoste allegedly speaks to students about his military experience, behaves in an aggressive way with both teachers and families, and is frequently absent because he also manages another school in California, where his wife works as an admissions officer.
This, they say, represents a conflict of interest that undermines the Moroccan school’s management.
Concerns extend beyond fees and management. According to parents, the academic level at the school has fallen sharply. They contend that the administration has not provided a clear curriculum, forcing teachers to rely on artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT, to prepare lessons.
Reports also suggest that some teachers often group together students from different grades, creating confusion and disorder in the classroom.
In addition, the parents’ association has raised an alarm over “ethical issues” involving some foreign teachers. One teacher was reportedly dismissed after complaints of inappropriate conversations with young students, while another was said to have been criticized for discussing personal matters and showing tattoos in class.
Despite such instances of what parents allege as inappropriate conduct, they maintain that the director continues to defend these teachers.
Parents are now also taking issue with the fact that Al Akhawayn School is not officially recognized by the Moroccan Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, or international school networks.
The parents’ association said it has appealed to multiple official bodies, including the Board of Trustees of Al Akhawayn University, the Ministries of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, as well as the governor of Ifrane and the regional wali. None of these institutions has responded so far, the parents said.
The association insists it will continue to fight the school’s decision through legal and social channels. “This is not just about fees,” one parent said during an interview with news outlet Al3omk. “It is about the right of our children to a safe and serious education in Morocco.”
Morocco World News (MWN) attempted to contact the school multiple times but received no response.
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