فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Statement
Within the framework of the ongoing advocacy efforts of the National Office of the Moroccan Federation of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and in response to developments related to the national demands file and the latest updates on “pedagogical reform,” the National Office held a long meeting exceeding four hours of serious discussion on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting was attended by the Secretary-General of the sector, the Director of Human Resources, the Director of Legal Affairs, Disputes and Equivalences, and some ministry officials, under the supervision of the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation. The minister reiterated during this fruitful and productive meeting, which was marked by a high spirit of responsibility, the regulatory framework guiding the cooperation methodology with the Moroccan Federation, as outlined in the joint statement of May 25, 2025. In this regard, the minister affirmed that the principle of partnership is a strategic choice in addressing various system issues and that all reform projects, foremost among them the draft law organizing higher education, will be submitted to the Moroccan Federation.
Accordingly, and considering the positive and responsible atmosphere that characterized the meeting, the National Office of the Moroccan Federation of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the following to the academic and national public:
- It affirms that any reform aiming to advance the Moroccan university cannot achieve its objectives without genuine dialogue and effective involvement of all stakeholders, particularly the faculty researchers. In this context, it was agreed to reopen the technical and pedagogical discussions within a specialized committee to develop a balanced participatory vision that takes into account the specificities of institutions and knowledge domains and ensures collective engagement in implementing the provisions of the “pedagogical reform.”
- It completely rejects the methodology used in amending the pedagogical control manuals, which excluded the representative bodies of faculty researchers and replaced them with parallel bodies lacking legitimacy.
- It expresses its dissatisfaction with the significant delay in announcing the promotion results for the year 2023, which caused widespread discontent in higher education institutions. In this regard, the ministry committed to resolving this matter promptly.
- It notes, with deep regret, the confusion and conflicting interpretations regarding the application of Article Nine of the faculty researchers’ statute, which obstructed the promotion process. The ministry promised to revise it in collaboration with the federation to ensure clear procedures and stability in the faculty researchers’ career paths.
- It emphasizes that the file concerning French doctorates remains one of the most prominent examples of injustice in the university, calling for a fair and urgent resolution. The ministry confirmed it will reopen discussions on this issue with the Ministry of Finance, which still vetoes this matter, and also urges addressing cases related to the State Doctorate to ensure justice for this group.
- It urges settling the issue of general seniority for professors who have accumulated years of public service in other sectors before joining higher education and proposes formulating a consensual approach for discussion. In this regard, the National Office calls on the ministry to lift its reservations about this demand.
- It demands exempting scientific research allowances from taxation, considering their nature related to scientific and research duties. The federation received explicit support from the ministry for this legitimate request.
- It requests the ministry to restructure the allowances for additional academic duties of the faculty members, including heading departments, coordinating study programs, participating in exam committees, and thesis discussions. The ministry confirmed its readiness to develop a fair and integrated vision to honor and reward faculty researchers’ efforts.
- It calls on the ministry to contribute to mobilizing financial positions for the current year to alleviate the severe overcrowding in universities, which has become a real obstacle to improving pedagogical performance. The ministry indicated it is working on rationalizing these positions, respecting the allocated timeframe and institutional priorities.
- It strongly condemns what occurred at the National School of Commerce and Management at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra during the so-called “graduation ceremony,” which included behaviors unbecoming to the academic setting. This reflects a collapse of university values, an assassination of its mission, and degradation of its functions. It demands accountability and penalties for all those involved in this scandal that targets the public university’s duties, values, and glorious history.
In conclusion, the National Office positively notes the spirit of responsibility and seriousness that prevailed during this meeting and confirms that the Moroccan Federation of Higher Education and Scientific Research will remain an independent proposing and advocacy force, loyal to its mission to defend the public university, safeguard the dignity of faculty researchers, and guarantee their pivotal role in any reform project aiming to advance the system. It calls on faculty researchers to continue mobilizing and consciously engaging in the struggle to defend their rights and gains to promote the Moroccan public university.
National Office of the Moroccan Federation of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Address: National School of Computer Science and Systems Analysis, Mohamed Ben Abdellah Al Rakraki Street, Al Irfan City, P.O. Box 713 Agdal, Rabat.
