Morocco Lawmaker Calls for Tougher School Discipline Measures Amid Rising Violence

Cleaning the school yard and premises, carrying out gardening work... These are the disciplinary measures recorded in ministerial circular no. 14/867, published on October 17, 2014, which aim to deter dangerous behavior in schools. In the eyes of Deputy Nadia Bouzendoufa, these measures are not only insufficient, but they resemble more volunteer activities than deterrent sanctions, which does not allow the desired objective to be achieved.

To support her argument, the elected representative, in a question addressed to the minister, stressed that the reality of public schools, which constitute an essential space for the anchoring of educational and ethical values, reveals an aggravation of manifestations of violence within schools, particularly against educational staff. This situation now threatens the stability of the school and undermines the authority of the teacher as well as the education system as a whole, she added.

According to the parliamentarian, the lack of rigorous disciplinary measures has led to the aggravation of attacks. Hence, the need for urgent intervention to review this approach and adopt stricter measures guaranteeing the authority of the school and protecting the educational staff against any threat that could hinder the fulfillment of their pedagogical missions. The elected representative then asks Berrada what provisions his department intends to take to restore the authority of the school and strengthen respect for the educational staff, in order to ensure the stability of the education system.