Agadir – Morocco’s Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports has introduced stricter measures to monitor student attendance and the availability of school textbooks ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year, which is scheduled to begin on September 7.
In a note addressed to directors of Regional Education and Training Academies (AREFs) and provincial education directors, the ministry outlined measures aimed at ensuring that classes start on time and that students have access to the required textbooks from the beginning of the school year.
The ministry instructed schools to begin lessons on September 7 without waiting for students who may arrive several days late.
It also clarified that students should be allowed to attend classes even if they have not yet completed all registration procedures, preventing administrative formalities from delaying the start of their schooling.
Daily monitoring of absences
Beginning September 7, schools will be required to record student absences on a daily basis and transmit the information to provincial education directorates.
Local education officials have also been instructed to engage with parents and raise awareness about the importance of ensuring that students attend classes from the first day of the academic year.
The measures are intended to ensure that the start of the school year proceeds according to schedule and that attendance is closely monitored from the outset.
Textbook availability under closer scrutiny
The ministry is also strengthening oversight of the availability of school textbooks.
Each provincial education directorate will establish a dedicated monitoring unit tasked with following the supply of bookstores and other textbook sales points. The units will operate under the direct supervision of provincial directors and will be staffed sufficiently to cover their respective territories
Field inspections began on August 28, with teams visiting bookstores and sales outlets to verify the availability of textbooks for different educational levels and identify any potential shortages or delays.
Provincial authorities will also hold at least two meetings each week to assess textbook availability and determine any measures needed to address shortages.
Regional education academies will coordinate the field monitoring and maintain contact with the ministry’s central unit. Any shortages identified during inspections are to be regularly reported so that corrective measures can be taken.
The measures come as the ministry prepares for the new academic year, with a focus on ensuring that schools begin teaching on schedule, student attendance is monitored from the first day, and textbooks are available to students when classes resume.
