The death of a vocational training instructor in Erfoud, allegedly assaulted by a trainee, has sparked outrage across Morocco’s educational and training sectors, prompting calls for psychological evaluations during student enrollment.
In a statement issued Monday, the National Union of Vocational Training Staff urged a revision of trainee registration conditions, including the introduction of psychological assessments, to prevent violence and misconduct in training institutions.
Union representatives argued that stricter registration criteria are necessary to maintain discipline and ensure these institutions do not become “rehabilitation centers or mental health shelters.”
Protests have been organized by staff nationwide, with a general strike planned for Wednesday, April 16, to demand improved safety measures. These include intensified awareness campaigns to instill respect and discipline among trainees and promote a secure working environment.
Calls for Systemic Reform
Jamal Ouzzine, regional secretary of the union in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, told Hespress AR that disciplinary hearings have proven ineffective in curbing misconduct. “There’s a major issue with overcrowding in training institutes,” he said, noting that administrative focus on enrollment numbers over educational quality has put staff at risk.
Ouzzine emphasized the need to reform the system to better protect instructors, beginning with psychological evaluations during enrollment.
Legal and Practical Challenges
Educational expert and former central inspector Jamal Chafik noted that while every citizen has a right to education, psychological evaluations must be conducted by licensed professionals and grounded in legal procedures.
“Such demands from teachers are reasonable if institutions are equipped with mental health professionals and legal frameworks,” Chafik said. “Vocational training is often a last resort for youth who didn’t enter university, making them more vulnerable to hardship and potential behavioral challenges.”
He called for comprehensive reforms in Morocco’s educational system to address rising violence in learning environments, highlighting the need to enhance legal literacy among students and trainees.
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