The head of the Moroccan government, Aziz Akhannouch, is backing his minister of education’s controversial reform, relating to the new conditions for recruitment of teachers in the public sector.
This Monday, November 29, during the plenary session in the House of Representatives, Akhannouch showed solidarity with his Minister Chakib Benmoussa, declaring that the policy was a government decision that gathered consensus.
Akhennouch said he “salutes Benmoussa for the work he does,” adding that he is “sure this step will pave the way for a real, general reform of the education sector in Morocco.”
Benmoussa had previously announced, to many hopeful applicants’ dismay, that access to public teaching jobs will noe be restricted to those under the age of 30.
Despite the public’s outrage and protest, Benmoussa is defending his policy, with Akhannouch declaring he is “taking responsibility for the government decisions, as long as it is in the service of citizens.”
The head of government responded to MPs’ questions on the matter, saying that he and his government will not hesitate to take such decisions, however controversial and unfair they may seem, as “they remain essential to the implementation of the social state.”
According to Akhannouch, “this kind of reform, especially in the education and health sectors, requires taking responsibility without hesitation,” adding that the single factor that goes into policy making within the educational sector is whether “it is in favor of the student saying, “quality is the only criterion we will take into account.”
Recalling the social objectives of his government program during the plenary session, Akhannouch backed his minister’s plan by citin various data, reflecting the duire need for reform to the national education sector.
Recent data and studies have put the sector’s major challenges under the limelight, with the 2018 PISA report on quality education ranking Morocco 75th out of 79 listed countries.
In addition, a more recent national study showed that 70% of Moroccan students struggle with basics in mathematics, reading and science.
Benmoussa had argued that younger teachers are proven to be more efficient and flexible when it comes to keeping up with the development of educational and pedagogic reforms.
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