Education Remains a Central Issue as Morocco Prepares for Elections

As Morocco approaches its legislative elections on September 23, education has emerged as a central concern among the populace. Since the early 2000s, private education has seen significant growth, largely overshadowing a public education system that has faced extensive criticism. Many Moroccans have lost faith in the public school system's ability to adequately prepare the youth for the future. This sentiment was echoed by Dounia, a mother who recently visited a downtown bookstore to purchase textbooks for her children enrolled in a private school. "We would prefer to enroll our children in public schools, where we ourselves studied, but the reality is that the quality has diminished significantly, especially in terms of academic standards," she remarked.

Dounia spends over 300 euros a month on private education, expressing hope that reforms will improve public schools, thus relieving families of the financial burden of private schooling. "If a political party commits to enhancing public education, they will undoubtedly earn my vote!" she declared. As voters head to the polls, they will find that the most prominent political parties have included public education reform in their platforms, with left-leaning parties presenting the most ambitious and detailed proposals.

High Expectations for Public Universities

The expectations for higher education are equally high. Mustapha Azaitraoui, vice-secretary general of the SNESup union, emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of public universities, stating, "The key question is what role the next government will assign to public universities. It is crucial that they engage in meaningful dialogue regarding upcoming reforms." The application of law 59-24, passed in August 2025, remains a significant concern for public universities. This law, criticized by various unions, aims to redefine the framework governing Moroccan universities, making it imperative for the new government to navigate these challenges effectively.

As reported by rfi.fr.