Moroccan universities halted in latest labour strike

2008-05-08

The National Union for Higher Education concluded a three-day strike at Morocco's universities on Thursday. It was the third such protest held in 2008, in a bid to bring the government back to the negotiating table on education reform.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 08/05/08

[File] In a bid to force discussions with the Moroccan government, university teachers held their third strike of the year this week.

Moroccan universities have been paralysed for three days by a strike that began Tuesday (May 6th) following a call by the National Union for Higher Education (SNESUP). This stoppage is the third of its kind in 2008; it follows a twenty-four hour strike in January and a two-day strike in March.

SNESUP Secretary-General Fouzia Guedira told Magharebia the decision is part of the organisation's escalating "fight" strategy to force a re-opened dialogue with the government.

"The dialogue was broken off without good reason," she said. "We met the [education] minister on November 22nd, following the agreement with former Prime Minister Driss Jettou in August 2007, and he promised he would resolve any issues which had been left hanging. But since then nothing has been done."

The union's first demand, which dates back several years, is for higher education establishments to be linked to universities. "The universities and higher education establishments must have the same system so that they can benefit from joint activities like teacher training," Guedira said.

Another demand is a revised status for research lecturers and doctoral graduates, incorporating lecturers into the public sector and taking their duties into account.

The SNESUP is also asking for financial and strategic resources to be made available to help teachers achieve the objectives of higher education reform.

The agreement with Driss Jettou also addressed the situation facing teachers with French doctorates who were recruited before February 20th, 1997, the date on which the new status of research lecturer came into force. It was agreed that these positions would be harmonised with university employees.

The agreement also settled the matter of assistant professors within management training establishments, recruited between 1997 and 2001. This group did not receive a doctorate making them eligible for competitive entry process for assistant professorships in higher education.

It was decided that those holding such a degree would receive dispensation from the competitive entry process, and those who had not managed to obtain a doctorate would be promoted to the grade of assistant professor, receiving fees commensurate with their new position.

It appears the current strike will not be the final episode in the saga. The SNESUP central office is threatening an even harder stance – including a new series of strikes – if the government does not respond to the group's demands.

According to university lecturer Mohamed Mrani, "The executive must make a great effort to reform higher education, which suffers from a number of problems, including the lack of human and financial resources."

The government claims significant progress has already been made towards these goals. According to Latifa Abida, Secretary of State for Education, "Many reforms have been introduced into higher education, which is doing very well."

She pointed out that last January the Government Council passed several bills relating to higher education in accordance with the union's demands. The first was a draft bill to modify two decrees relating to the status of research lecturers in higher education and those working in higher management training establishments.

This bill will allow Moroccan and foreign professionals and experts who have scientific knowledge and professional experience to work as teachers, under fixed-term contracts, and will give candidates who wish to prepare a state or university doctorate a new deadline of September 1st, 2012. Those holding a Moroccan doctorate or recognised equivalent will also be invited to take part in a competitive application process to become assistant professors.

Meanwhile, students have expressed their discontent at the series of strikes. Law student Noureddine Moughiti said that at the end of the day, it is students who are the victims of the stoppages.

"It's a shame to be losing teaching days, especially at the end of the year. Of course, some lecturers offer make-up sessions, but that's not always the case," he said.