Moroccan students and workers protest public university fees of up to MAD 20,000

Students, public employees and private-sector workers demonstrated outside Parliament in Rabat on Sunday against annual fees of up to 20,000 dirhams for degree programs offered by public universities outside standard working hours.

The National Coordination of Employees and Wage Earners Subjected to Flexible Hours organized the protest, which drew support from several unions. Participants said the charges would prevent working people from completing bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies.

Universities have moved toward a common annual tariff of 5,000 dirhams for undergraduate programs, 18,000 dirhams for bachelor of technology programs, 15,000 dirhams for master’s degrees and 20,000 dirhams for doctorates during the first four years.

A doctoral student could therefore pay 80,000 dirhams before other study expenses, protesters said.

The dispute follows the adoption of Higher Education and Scientific Research Law 59.24. Article 81 expressly allows higher education institutions to organize paid basic degree programs on flexible schedules, as well as continuing education. It does not establish the fee amounts, which are determined through university governance structures.

The law was published in the Official Gazette on February 23, 2026.

The Forum of University Presidents has defended the system as a form of lifelong learning designed for employees and professionals. It says charging those groups does not end free access to regular daytime programs and that universities may offer payment arrangements or consider exceptional social circumstances.

Protesters rejected that distinction, arguing that workers should retain free access to public higher education regardless of scheduling.

Participants included students who said they had been excluded from continuing their studies at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, Hassan I University in Settat and Mohammed I University in Oujda.

Union representatives demanded the cancellation of the fees and the reinstatement of affected students. They said further demonstrations would follow unless the government and universities reverse the policy.