MP presses agriculture ministry over IAV student dormitory demolition

The ongoing controversy over student housing at the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine (IAV) in Rabat has resurfaced in Parliament, as the government pushes forward with plans to demolish more than half the on-campus dormitories to make way for a road expansion project.

In a written question addressed to Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, MP Loubna Sghiri of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) demanded clarification about the “real reasons behind the unavailability of student housing”, a requirement mandated by the institute’s internal regulations.

Sghiri called on the Agriculture Ministry to take “urgent measures” to resolve the issue and ensure the academic year is not disrupted. She also criticized what she described as the administration’s failure to engage in meaningful dialogue with student representatives to reach consensus-based solutions that uphold students’ dignity and protect the institution’s integrity.

The MP said the situation has led to “an unprecedented level of tension” among students across all departments, engineering, veterinary sciences, and preparatory programs, following the administration’s announcement that on-campus housing would not be available for the upcoming academic year.

“This violates the institute’s own rules, which require students to live on campus, especially during internships and fieldwork,” Sghiri said.

The announcement triggered an open-ended student strike beginning June 24, following multiple protests against a move that students argue will significantly worsen their academic and living conditions. The decision, students say, came without warning or any clarity regarding timelines or alternative housing arrangements.

The strike has resulted in the suspension of classes, a complete boycott of exams and training sessions, and growing anxiety over whether incoming students, particularly those in preparatory programs, will be excluded from the next academic year.

Sghiri warned that the crisis could lead to a “waste of public funds and training time,” noting that the daily cost of training a single IAV student exceeds 4,000 MAD, with annual internships costing more than 10,000 MAD per student.

She also denounced the absence of any “serious response” or institutional dialogue with students, despite the legitimacy of their concerns.

Engineering Students Speak Out

The National Coordination of Engineering Students in Morocco joined the chorus of criticism, condemning the decision to demolish IAV’s dormitories and warning of its dire impact on students’ mental health, academic performance, and personal dignity.

“We are alarmed by the authorities’ approval of this decision without considering the social and financial hardships students already face, many of whom cannot afford basic necessities like food and transportation,” the group said in a statement received by Hespress EN.

The group stressed that university housing is not a luxury but a fundamental right, essential for educational continuity and student stability. It argued that the move contradicts principles of social justice and risks further marginalizing a generation crucial to the country’s agricultural and scientific sectors.