Heavy rain and snow prompt school closures across parts of Morocco

Morocco’s Education Ministry has urged heightened safety measures at schools nationwide as severe weather continues to disrupt multiple regions, prompting class suspensions and emergency preparedness steps to protect students and staff.

In a directive sent to regional education academies, the Ministry of National Education, Preschool Education and Sports called for precautionary measures to address risks linked to heavy rainfall, snowfall in mountainous areas, strong winds and cold waves. The ministry said the guidance aims to ensure the safety of students, teachers, administrative staff and boarding school residents.

The memo instructed regional authorities to activate monitoring and alert units at academy, provincial and school levels, and to raise awareness among school administrators, staff and service providers on preventive measures during unstable weather conditions. It also urged coordination with local authorities and civil protection services, and strict attention to weather alerts issued by the General Directorate of Meteorology.

The ministry warned against using classrooms deemed unsafe and called for urgent repairs where necessary. It also stressed the importance of involving parent associations, particularly in areas most exposed to adverse weather.

Several provincial education directorates have since announced class suspensions. In Fqih Ben Saleh province, authorities said schooling would be suspended Tuesday morning across all institutions under their jurisdiction, citing ministerial guidance and weather warnings. Similar precautionary decisions were taken in Berrechid province, where classes were also halted during the morning period.

In northern Morocco, widespread rainfall forecasts, with some areas expected to receive more than 40 millimeters, led most provincial education authorities to suspend classes Tuesday, either fully or partially. Officials in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region said schools would close entirely in the provinces of Ouezzane and Chefchaouen, as well as in Tetouan, M’diq-Fnideq and Fahs-Anjra for a second consecutive day.

Partial suspensions were announced in Larache and Al Hoceima provinces, particularly in rural and mountainous areas. Tangier-Assilah was the only province in the region where classes were expected to continue as normal, pending any new developments.

Elsewhere, Hassan I University in Settat announced a precautionary suspension of classes across all affiliated institutions on Tuesday due to ongoing weather disruptions.

Local authorities have also stepped up preparedness efforts. In Souk Sebt Oulad Nemma, officials held a coordination meeting to strengthen flood response readiness, bringing together representatives from security services, civil protection, health authorities, municipal services and utility providers.

Measures included activating a monitoring unit, mobilizing equipment and personnel, clearing drainage channels and preparing emergency resources, including trucks, water pumps and ambulances.

Authorities said the measures are intended to reduce risks to lives and property as unstable weather conditions persist across parts of the country.