Moroccan professors strike over grievances

10/11/2006

Moroccan universities were paralysed on November 9th because of a 24-hour strike by the National Union for Higher Education. Professors want training colleges linked to universities, more resources and recognition of French doctorates.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 10/11/06

[File] Students were taken by surprise when professors went on strike.

Morocco's National Union for Higher Education (SNE-Sup) started a 24-hour strike on Thursday (November 9th).

Union General Secretary Fouzia Guédira told Magharebia many professors participated because discussions with the Education Ministry over the past six months resolved some issues, but left three grievances unanswered.

The first issue is the linking of teacher training colleges to universities. "At the present time, these colleges are answerable neither to the universities, nor to non-university establishments as stipulated by law. This is an irregular situation, which has negative repercussions on their correct operation," indicated Guédira.

The second grievance is the lack of staff resources. According to Dr Saïd Saaddine, a science and technology professor at Mohammédia University, logistical conditions, human resources and equipment necessary for teaching reforms are sadly lacking. He declared that the higher education system is not properly equipped to produce people with the skills appropriate for the country's development needs. The lack of scientific equipment and professors means that the system produces an overwhelming majority of students in disciplines offering few employment opportunities, which does not meet the ambitions of reforms.

Geology professor Dr Bahaa Rafiki agrees that reform cannot be introduced unless the necessary tools are available. "Professors are trying to teach practical courses empty-handed. We want to work. But at the same time, we need at least a minimum of resources," he said.

The third grievance belongs to teachers with French doctorates, who have been on hunger strike since November 1st. For over 20 years, the French doctorate has not been recognised as equivalent to the Moroccan doctorate, while degrees from other countries are recognised as equivalent.

The ministry stopped deeming the French diplomas as equivalent after French university reforms in 1984 put forth a unique doctorate.

"The French doctorate is the intermediary between the diploma of higher education and the state doctorate", said Jalil Bouabid, director of human resources and budgeting at the Higher Education Ministry. "Its scientific value is less than the state diploma," he added.

The French doctorate holders are assistants until their degrees are legally recognised. They do not have the right to supervise doctorate students or apply for senior lecturer posts.

At the latest meeting between SNE-Sup national bureau and the Education Ministry, Mohamed Mahassine, president of the Moroccan Association of Qualified Teachers and Lecturers in French Universities, reported that the strikers rejected a proposal stating that competitive examinations are an essential condition for elevation to the level of professor.

"The ministry should immediately have converted those concerned to the grade of professor without any other condition, save that of having four years' experience as associate professor, in accordance with the law of 1975," he said.

Hospitalisation has been required for 14 of the strikers, while two were sent to the emergency departments for the second time in very critical condition.

Soumia Sebbar, a lecturer at Kadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, vows to continue her hunger strike until the demands have been met.

Mahassine feels 24-hours will not be enough and has called on the work stoppage to continue.

During a Friday press conference, Bouabid asserted the strike was unjustified because the ministry has not ceased co-operating since the start of discussions.

"We have a lot of respect for these professors. They should accept our latest proposition, which requires them to go through an examination allowing them to access the level of higher education professor."