Moroccan university professors announce national strike over higher education bill

Morocco’s National Union of Higher Education announced a nationwide strike by university professors and researchers on March 3 and 4 across all public higher education institutions, as part of an escalating protest program during March.

The union said the strike will include a boycott of teaching, pedagogical, scientific and administrative activities in protest of draft law No. 59.24 on higher education. The union argues the proposed legislation undermines the autonomy of public universities and fails to address demands related to the professors’ statutory framework and sectoral dialogue.

In a statement, the union said the move is intended to pressure authorities to open what it described as a “serious and responsible dialogue,” holding the relevant government bodies accountable for any continued tension within public universities.

Youssef El Kouari, deputy secretary-general of the union, said the decision to stage a comprehensive strike covering all academic and administrative activities was adopted by professors and researchers affiliated with the organization.

“This is a clear message rejecting the current path,” El Kouari said in comments to local media, describing the draft law as “destructive to the university.”

He added that the union initially engaged in good faith and had hoped for a participatory legislative approach, but said professors’ proposals and recommendations were not taken into account, leading to disappointment.

El Kouari described the strike as the beginning of a longer protest movement, noting that additional actions are planned, including a sit-in ahead of the next administrative committee meeting. He said the union’s national office is studying further steps in preparation for an expanded administrative committee meeting scheduled for April 12, during which the union will determine its next course of action.

The Education Ministry has not publicly responded to the union’s announcement.