Moroccan Medical Students Seek Mediator’s Help in Ongoing Dispute with Ministry
Medical students in Morocco met with the Kingdom’s mediator on Thursday, September 5th, 2024, seeking a resolution to their ongoing dispute with the Ministry of Higher Education. This meeting followed a widespread boycott of exams scheduled for the same day, a clear sign of the students’ frustration with the lack of progress in addressing their demands.
Hamza Ikenzi, a member of the National Committee for Medical and Pharmacy Students, reported that the mediator assured them of his commitment to facilitating dialogue between the students and the Ministry. The mediator emphasized his intention to arrange a meeting between both parties in the coming days, aiming to find a fair and equitable solution to the ongoing crisis.
While no specific dates have been set for this meeting, the students remain hopeful. They presented their case in detail to the mediator and are now awaiting his response.
This latest development follows a previous statement by Ikenzi, highlighting the students’ perspective that the Ministry’s decision to proceed with the exams was not a viable solution to the issues at hand. The students maintain that a more comprehensive approach is needed to salvage the academic year, advocating for a postponement of exams until their concerns are addressed.
The student-led boycott of the September 5th exams saw a staggering participation rate, with sources reporting over 90% of students refusing to attend. Some faculties even reported boycott rates as high as 95-97%. These figures, while preliminary, underscore the widespread discontent among medical students.
The exams were scheduled to proceed following a proposal from the Minister of Higher Education to the parliamentary dialogue committee addressing the crisis. The proposal emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to completing the 2023-2024 academic year. It suggested allowing students who take the first semester’s make-up exams, scheduled for September 5th, 2024, to sit for additional exams during the second semester.
However, this proposal appears to have been rejected by the students, who are demanding more significant changes and a greater commitment to addressing their concerns. The involvement of the Kingdom’s mediator signifies an escalation of the situation and a potential turning point in the ongoing dispute.
