On Moroccan Twitter, one of the most popular topics was the hashtag #DoctorsUnderOppression, under which messages about disciplinary measures against students who participated in the protests were posted, MWN reported on May 25.
“67 current and former student representatives were summoned to disciplinary councils. Of those, 15 students were suspended for two years, one student was permanently expelled from the university, and several others received warnings. “In addition, some students were banned from taking clinical examinations for six months.” —said a representative of the student community.
The origins of these problems date back to 2022, when the Moroccan ministries of Health and Higher Education decided to reduce the duration of medical training from seven to six years. The decision was met with widespread disapproval among students, who feared that the quality of their education and training would decline.
A student representative explained that despite a series of protests and demonstrations, there had been no official response from the authorities.
After almost two years of waiting for a decision, the situation has reached a turning point. On December 16, 2023, medical students voted overwhelmingly in favor of an open boycott.
“This decision was supported by 91% of students, with a national participation rate of 93%.” – pointed out the representative. Students submitted a detailed requirements file containing 82 elements divided into nine main themes.
The students demanded clarity about the government’s decision to shorten their studies, transparency in curricular restructuring, and solutions to overcrowding in classrooms and hospitals. They also called for greater financial support and to ensure that the quality of education is not compromised.
The ministries’ initial response was to open a dialogue by holding two formal meetings with student representatives. However, the students considered the measures proposed by the authorities insufficient. “The ministries proposed a protocol that was ultimately rejected by more than 99% of students nationwide because it consisted only of promises without concrete commitments.” – said the representative.
This, according to the spokesperson, led the ministries to unilaterally end the dialogue in February and issue a press release full of what the students considered “empty promises.”
Students’ frustration was compounded by public statements by the Minister of Education, who said the government had met 45 of the students’ 50 demands and called the other five illogical.
In March 2024, the situation worsened further when authorities dissolved several local student councils at Moroccan universities, including in Rabat, Tangier, Oujda, Agadir, Marrakech and Casablanca.
Subsequently, 67 current and former student representatives were summoned before disciplinary boards, resulting in suspensions, warnings or eventual expulsion. In addition to these punitive measures, several students were summoned by the judicial police.
The spokesperson stressed that despite these harsh measures, students continued their protest activities, organizing sit-ins and marches, many of which were repressed by the authorities.
Earlier this month, Moroccan Minister of Higher Education Abdellatif Miraoui addressed parliament about ongoing boycotts of medical students and pharmacists.
He warned of the dire consequences of boycotts during the academic year, stressing that there will be no extraordinary sessions.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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