Morocco Officials Warn of Rising Violence in Schools

Rabat – Moroccan judicial and education officials have warned that violence in schools has become a worrying phenomenon that threatens students’ psychological and physical safety and affects the quality of education.

Speaking on Wednesday in Rabat, the Prosecutor General at the Rabat Court of Appeal, Abdelaziz Rajae, said that school violence is preventing schools from fulfilling their core mission of education, socialization, and building responsible citizens. He stressed that any threat to this mission requires serious action from all concerned actors.

Rajae made these remarks during a meeting organized by the Regional Committee for Supporting Women Victims of Violence, under the theme “Violence in Schools: Prevention and Mechanisms for Supporting Victims.”

He explained that school violence takes many forms, including physical, verbal, psychological, and symbolic violence. It can occur between students themselves, from students towards teachers and administrative staff, and the opposite. 

Rajae noted that these behaviors are linked to broader social and cultural changes, the influence of media and social networks, family breakdown, and challenges within the education system.

Read also: New Report Exposes Alarming School Violence in Morocco

The Prosecutor General spoke about the role of the judiciary in protecting children by enforcing the law while promoting prevention and accountability that prioritize the best interests of the child. He said that the committee places children at the center of its work, whether they are victims of violence or in conflict with the law.

Psychologist Reda Imhassani also spoke at the meeting and described violence as a result of poor emotional regulation. He explained that some students are unable to understand or manage their emotions in a healthy way. According to him, family, social, and cultural factors often interact to shape violent behavior.

Ayoub Lachkar, a member of the “Youth Space for Cyber Trust in Morocco” team, said that protecting children is a shared responsibility that goes beyond schools to include families, streets, and the digital space.

He warned that students face multiple risks, such as bullying, physical and psychological violence, as well as online threats. These include cyberbullying, online harassment, sharing photos and videos without consent, threats, and blackmail.

The meeting also featured presentations on efforts by the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Regional Academy of Education and Training to prevent and address school violence, as well as discussions on its psychological impact on children and the school environment.

MWN with MAP