In Morocco, a pressing issue has emerged as working students and public sector employees face escalating university fees, igniting a significant debate within the country. Imagine the struggle of working throughout the day, attending university classes in the evening, all in pursuit of a better future, only to be confronted with the daunting prospect of paying thousands of dirhams in annual tuition fees. This is the reality for many students enrolled in adapted study programmes at Moroccan public universities.
The National Coordination of Civil Servants and Employees Subject to Adapted Study Schedules has announced plans for a demonstration outside Parliament in Rabat on Thursday, October 22, at 11 AM, to voice their concerns over these rising costs. They are advocating for reforms to the current fee structure and for increased accessibility to public higher education for working individuals.
For the academic year 2026–2027, working students enrolled in specific adapted-schedule programmes, known as formations à temps aménagé, are facing tuition fees that can be quite significant: 5,000 MAD for a bachelor’s degree, 15,000 MAD for a master’s degree, and an astonishing 20,000 MAD for a doctorate. It is crucial to note that these fees apply specifically to programmes designed for working individuals and public sector employees and do not reflect general tuition rates imposed on all students attending public universities in Morocco. The fees can vary by institution and programme, but for many, these costs can represent a heavy financial burden, particularly for those already managing expenses like rent, transportation, and daily necessities.
However, the debate extends beyond mere financial concerns. There are allegations that some universities are steering employed applicants into these paid adapted-schedule programmes, even when they feel that they should have access to standard study options. Such claims have been echoed in Moroccan media, illustrating a broader issue of equity in access to education.
One of the pivotal questions fueling this discussion is whether the system should incentivize working individuals to pursue further education. Balancing the demands of a job, academic responsibilities, commuting, and family obligations is already a challenging task for many. Therefore, the addition of hefty tuition fees can complicate this balance even further.
The student coordination group is calling for a reevaluation of the current fee system, sparking a larger conversation about how public universities can better support working adults seeking to advance their education. As this dispute remains unresolved, it highlights a crucial concern: whether the pursuit of higher education should become increasingly difficult for those who have already entered the workforce.
As reported by lnt.ma.
