AEFE Cancels Financial Aid for Non-French Students in Morocco Amid Pandemic

A decision to withdraw support in the midst of a health crisis. In a joint statement, the Independent Parents’ Association (API) and the Kénitra Parents’ Association (APEK) say that parents were surprised to receive a letter this week from the cluster head, Najat Delpeyrat, informing them that the regulations require the implementation of a solidarity fund to help families facing financial difficulties during this pandemic and economic crisis, and that the financing of this fund is based on the voluntary contribution of each person.

The two associations denounce a "unilateral decision". According to them, this decision is "a new expression of AEFE’s abandonment of the last mechanisms that still distinguish the values of solidarity advocated by the school of the Republic in favor of mercantile approaches". In a letter to the AEFE director, API and APEK presidents Abdelahad Lamrani and Tawfik Fechtali expressed the disappointment of the parents. They condemn the fact that "such actions can be taken despite this ongoing period of restrictions, especially since they themselves have made a lot of efforts to continue to honor their commitments, thus supporting the network throughout the Covid period".

"We are required to inform you that parents are tired of being treated this way, undergoing the usual top-down approaches at AEFE, ignoring its consultation commitments, and disregarding government recommendations to consolidate and develop the network with parental involvement," they continue, stating that the parents "are shocked to see the appearance at a particularly inopportune moment of a decision to withdraw support, in the midst of a health crisis, when some families are facing financial difficulties".