Rabat – Morocco’s National Union of Higher Education has announced a nationwide strike at public universities over a new higher education law recently approved by Parliament.
The union said it will hold a three-day national strike from February 3 to 5 in all public universities across the country. This action comes in parallel with a separate strike scheduled for January 22, which will affect higher education institutions that fall under the Ministry of National Education but are not part of the university system.
The decision follows the approval of Draft Law No. 59.24 on Higher Education and Scientific Research, which the union strongly opposes. Reports quoted the union as saying the law does not meet the demands of university professors and threatens the future of public higher education in Morocco.
The union opposes the law because they believe it undermines the independence and democratic governance of public universities, introduces a Board of Trustees that could dominate decision-making, and opens the door to privatization, weakening free access to higher education.
They also criticize the law for fragmenting the higher education system by allowing foreign universities and multiple actors to operate within Morocco, while failing to integrate training centers into the public system.
In addition, the union objects to the lack of consultation and transparency in drafting the law, as they were not involved despite being a key stakeholder, and the final version was shared only after government approval.
Youssef El Kouari, a member of the union’s national council, said the January 22 strike concerns only non-university higher education institutions. He explained that dialogue with the supervising ministry has completely stalled, with none of the previously agreed commitments being implemented.
El Kouari said the amendments introduced to the draft law were superficial and did not address the core issues raised by the union, added the reports. He noted that the decision to move to a 72-hour strike follows a gradual protest strategy, after earlier 24-hour and 48-hour strikes failed to prompt any response from authorities.
He also expressed hope that the government would step back and reopen serious and responsible dialogue. According to El Kouari, the union is calling for a law that guarantees university independence and democratic governance, including the direct election of university leaders and representatives of professors, staff, and students.