Government's Plan to Restructure Moroccan Public Universities
On June 19, 2026, the Higher Council for Education, Training, and Scientific Research unveiled significant details regarding a government initiative aimed at revising the structure of Morocco's public university landscape. Central to this government plan is the ambition to increase the number of universities in the country from 12 to 27. This ambitious restructuring will involve the division of existing large universities to alleviate overcrowding and promote equitable access to education across different regions. The Prime Minister submitted this project to the council for review in April 2026.
The official statement released by this constitutional body highlighted that the proposed government initiative seeks to implement fundamental changes to the university map. This includes the division of Ibn Zohr University in Agadir into five independent universities, while each of the following universities—Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tetouan, Hassan II University in Casablanca, Mohammed V University in Rabat, and Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech—will be split into three separate institutions. Furthermore, universities such as Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah in Fez, Moulay Ismail in Meknes, and Mohammed I in Oujda will be divided into two entities each.
Positive Outlook and Concerns Regarding the Proposed Changes
Interestingly, the government plan has decided to leave four universities unchanged: Chouaib Doukkali University in El Jadida, Hassan I University in Settat, Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, and Moulay Suleiman University in Beni Mellal. The financial and operational implementation of this new university structure is expected to unfold gradually from 2026 to 2028, with investments earmarked for restructuring and the establishment of new institutions by 2030.
The Higher Council for Education and Training acknowledged the positive direction of the initiative to divide large public universities, viewing it as a crucial step towards ensuring a fair geographic distribution of public higher education offerings. This reform aims to alleviate the overcrowding that adversely affects the quality of education and learning conditions, while also bringing university services closer to citizens and aligning them with the needs of different regions. Moreover, it seeks to foster healthy competition among institutions.
However, the council's report cautioned that the government’s proposal predominantly relies on a purely spatial approach to redistribute educational offerings and falls short of adopting a comprehensive strategic approach. It warned that simply dividing universities is insufficient for establishing a holistic reform of the higher education system unless it is part of a broader vision that addresses the existing imbalances related to pedagogical models, research dynamics, innovation, and institutional governance.
Additionally, the advisory body critiqued the negative portrayal of open-access programs in the government document, which suggested that these pathways are a last resort for students and considered of low value. The council emphasized that such programs significantly contribute to shaping the country’s intellectual and scientific elite and advocated for the appreciation of all educational pathways. It proposed further divisions to reduce the size of certain universities, recommending a target average of around 40,000 students per university.
In continuing its recommendations, the council underscored the necessity of developing a plan to support the newly established universities with a genuine and diverse educational offering. It also called for the implementation of a program to enhance complementary services, including student housing and sports and cultural facilities, while activating the administrative, pedagogical, and financial autonomy of universities to empower them to fulfill their roles effectively. The report cautioned that persistent centralized decision-making could lead to institutional homogeneity, which may hinder the university's ability to create a distinct developmental impact.
In conclusion, the council’s opinion called for the issuance of necessary legal texts to implement the proposed university map, emphasizing the need for a mandatory framework. It highlighted the importance of preparing a managerial plan for higher education that serves as a central strategic tool to guide various reform-related interventions, ensuring their coherence, integration, and timely execution in response to the country’s economic needs, while urging a shift from fragmented interventions to an integrated vision that prioritizes students.
As reported by al3omk.com.
