Moroccan Medical Students End Year-Long Strike
In a significant development, medical and pharmacy students in Morocco have concluded their strike, which lasted over 11 months, marking the longest such boycott in the history of the country’s universities. The decision to return to classes and clinical training was reached after students signed a settlement agreement with the Kingdom’s Ombudsman Institution and the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation. This agreement was facilitated by numerous mediation efforts aimed at resolving the crisis that had disrupted education across medical faculties nationwide.
The Ombudsman Institution announced the success of this initiative, highlighting the collaborative efforts of all parties involved. The National Committee for Medical and Pharmacy Students voted in favor of the government’s proposal, which included a commitment to suspend a controversial decision that aimed to reduce the duration of medical training from seven years to six. This decision had been met with significant opposition from students, who argued that it would compromise the quality of their education by eliminating 600 hours of essential training.
Settlement Details and Student Response
The settlement agreement includes several key provisions aimed at addressing the students' concerns. Notably, it suspends the implementation of the reduced training period for current students and commits to reinstating previously dissolved student offices. Additionally, the Ministry of Higher Education promised to enhance compensation for students during their training, significantly increasing financial support from approximately 5,400 USD to 10,000 USD. Furthermore, an exceptional examination program will be established to help students catch up on missed academic time due to the strike.
Students are now preparing for upcoming exams set to begin on November 20, following the suspension of their boycott. The strike, which began in December 2023, included protests and sit-ins as students sought to address their grievances regarding the proposed changes to their training duration. The situation escalated to the point where authorities intervened to disperse protests, resulting in arrests and disciplinary actions against several students.
Political and Social Reactions
Political reactions to the resolution of the strike have been largely positive. The Political Bureau of the Authenticity and Modernity Party expressed satisfaction with the settlement, recognizing it as a crucial step in addressing the students' demands. Lawmaker Naima Al-Fathawi noted that while the strike was resolved, discussions would continue regarding other educational reforms, particularly those affecting medical training curricula.
Human rights organizations have also welcomed the agreement, urging the government to prioritize dialogue over conflict in future disputes. Activists emphasized the importance of addressing the quality of education and the need to avoid similar crises in the future. As Morocco prepares to implement its social protection project, the resolution of this strike is seen as a vital step in ensuring the country has a well-trained medical workforce to meet its healthcare needs.
