Casablanca – Morocco’s National Federation of Student Unions has rejected the reported introduction of registration fees for employed candidates seeking to enroll in certain Master’s and doctoral training tracks at public universities, exacerbating the growing unpopularity – and scrutiny – facing Higher Education Minister Azzedine El Midaoui over the issue.
The federation’s statement came after the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation issued a press release following a meeting of university presidents on registration fees for certain continuing education programs at public universities intended for employed candidates.
The announcement sparked debate, with critics expressing concern over its potential impact on access to graduate studies for working professionals wishing to continue their education.
The debate has also reached Parliament. Khalid Es-satte, a House of Councillors member representing the National Labor Union of Morocco (UNTM), submitted a written question to Higher Education Minister Azzedine El Midaoui after saying he had received concerns from students, employees, and workers wishing to pursue graduate studies.
Es-satte also asked the minister to clarify the accuracy of the reports and explain what measures his department would be taking to preserve equal access to higher education regardless of applicants’ financial means.
In its statement, the federation said it remains committed to initiatives aimed at improving the quality of higher education and scientific research. At the same time, it voiced concern over what it described as a trend toward making access to graduate studies dependent on financial capacity.
The federation argued that public universities should remain spaces for producing knowledge, training skilled graduates, and supporting national development, rather than placing additional financial burdens on students and families, particularly given current economic and social conditions.
Reforming higher education should focus on addressing structural challenges, improving teaching quality, strengthening scientific research, upgrading university infrastructure, and increasing funding for public universities instead of imposing new financial obligations on students, it said.
The student body reiterated its rejection of any measure that could limit access to graduate studies on financial grounds. It emphatically called on the ministry to review the reported direction in line with the principles of social justice and equal opportunity.
The federation further urged authorities to launch what it described as a responsible and transparent national discussion on the future of public universities, involving students, faculty members, researchers, administrative staff, university councils, and representative bodies.
It said meaningful reform requires dialogue and consultation, warning that changes introduced without the confidence of the university community could deepen divisions rather than build consensus.
