Moroccan Education Ministry orders schools to keep students on campus during midday breaks

Morocco’s Ministry of National Education has instructed schools to ensure students remain on campus during midday breaks and empty class periods, citing safety concerns and efforts to reduce dropout rates.

In a memo addressed to regional academy directors and provincial education officials, the ministry urged schools to take “all necessary measures to prevent students from staying outside school grounds between noon and 2 p.m. as well as during vacant class hours.”

The directive emphasized that many students are unable to return home during breaks due to distance or lack of transportation, leaving them vulnerable to risks outside the school environment.

“It has been observed that some students are forced to spend these periods outside institutions, which may expose them to various dangers and negatively affect their academic performance and discipline,” wrote Hassan Qadad, the ministry’s acting secretary-general.

The ministry said the measure is part of ongoing efforts to ensure continuity of schooling and fight dropout rates. It also aims to strengthen safety, provide a “secure and motivating school environment,” and promote positive student development.

To achieve this, the ministry called on schools to coordinate with local authorities to provide logistical support and resources, while involving parent-teacher associations and community groups in monitoring and supervising the initiative.

The memo also recommended designating suitable spaces inside schools, such as multipurpose rooms, libraries, and recreation areas, and organizing educational, cultural, and sports activities during free periods. Schools were urged to guarantee supervision and student safety throughout these times.

The ministry said the initiative should form part of a broader strategy to improve school life and reinforce equal opportunities in education, urging regional and local officials to implement the plan “as a matter of urgency.”