In an incident that has caused widespread discontent in educational and administrative circles, the Governor of Settat Province exceeded his legal powers during an official meeting, where he directed harsh criticisms at the regional director of the Ministry of National Education in a manner described as insulting and inappropriate. The governor’s statements, which circulated widely on social media, ignited a wave of anger, as many viewed them as an exhibition of power and a blatant violation of the constitution and laws governing the relationship between local authorities and decentralized services.
Assault on Institutional Independence
Observers considered that the actions of the Settat governor were not merely a slip of the tongue but reflected a mindset that sees local authority officials as guardians over ministry representatives in the provinces. According to Article 145 of the Moroccan Constitution, the role of the governor is limited to coordinating external interests and ensuring the coherence of public policies; however, in this incident, he acted as if he were the direct supervisor of the regional director, disregarding the independence and competencies of the Ministry of National Education.
“Insult to the Education Sector and Its Officials”
The statements, which included an authoritative tone and public personal criticisms, were perceived by observers as an affront to the entire education sector and to the staff representing the ministry in the province. Is it reasonable for coordination meetings to turn into arenas for public reprimands and displays of influence instead of seeking solutions that serve citizens’ interests?
Calls for Accountability
The incident has prompted many voices to call for intervention from the Ministry of Interior to investigate the governor’s actions and hold him accountable for abuse of power. Such behaviors, which strike at the core principles of advanced regionalization and respect for institutional competencies, pose a threat to the cohesion of administrative work and negatively impact the image of local authority officials.
“Where Is Local Administration Heading?”
The incident involving the Settat governor reopens discussions about the role of local authority officials in Morocco and their commitment to law and respect for decentralized services’ independence. Will the Ministry of Interior take action to deter such behaviors, or will the situation remain unchanged, where authority shifts from a tool for serving citizens to a means for domination?”