Morocco suspends classes in several regions as weather raises preparedness questions

Severe weather disruptions across parts of Morocco in recent days have renewed debate over how the education system manages school schedules during climate related emergencies, after authorities temporarily suspended classes in several provinces to protect students and staff.

Local authorities and regional education academies halted in person schooling in mainly mountainous and rural areas following heavy rainfall, strong winds and snowfall in some high altitude zones. The conditions disrupted transport, cut off road access and raised safety concerns for school facilities, officials said.

The Ministry of National Education said in statements issued through regional academies that the suspensions were precautionary measures aimed at preventing accidents. Authorities said classes would resume once weather conditions improve and safety requirements are met.

While the closures were widely viewed as necessary for safety reasons, they also highlighted broader questions about the education system’s readiness to cope with increasingly frequent climate disruptions, particularly in vulnerable regions where adverse weather has become a recurring cause of school interruptions.

Education expert and former central inspector Jamal Chafiq said weather data pointed to clear risks, especially in areas prone to harsh winter conditions where roads can quickly become hazardous. He said protecting students remains the top priority and that temporary suspensions are justified when safety is at risk.

Chafiq said short term closures do not threaten the academic year, noting that missed instruction can be addressed through remedial classes and support sessions, particularly for non examination levels. For examination classes, including baccalaureate and final year middle and primary grades, he said accelerated programs can be used to complete curricula without affecting learning quality.

He added that decisions to suspend classes are taken in coordination with interior ministry authorities based on risk assessments, warning that potential accidents would carry far greater consequences than temporary school closures.

Chafiq also called for more sustainable preventive solutions, including the development of hybrid education models combining in person and remote learning, drawing on lessons from the COVID 19 period.

National Federation of Parents Associations head Noureddine Akkouri said crisis management remains incomplete without effective remote learning. He said repeated disruptions show the system cannot rely solely on in person education and called for investment in digital tools, teacher training and access to technology, particularly in rural areas.