COVID-19 Crisis Leaves 83% of Families Unable to Fully Pay French School Fees in Morocco

Three out of 10 families cannot pay their children’s tuition, while 54% can only pay part and 17% the full bill. This is the result of the survey conducted by the Grouping of Parent-Teacher Associations of French Educational Establishments in Morocco. A survey aimed at assessing the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the financial situation of French families in Morocco. The survey reveals that 68% of parents are on leave, have had their salaries reduced or have lost their jobs. Nine out of ten want a reduction in third-quarter tuition fees, reports L’Économiste. The survey covered 3,429 families, or 5,413 students. The network of establishments under the direct management of the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) in Morocco has 19,959 enrolled students.

Due to the additional costs for the distance learning of their children, 54.4% of families are in favor of a reduction of at least 50%, while 37.4% hope for a decrease between 20 and 30%. The survey shows that each household has spent 4,600 DH to ensure the continuity of distance education, for a total expenditure of 8 million DH.

Parents of primary school children are the most numerous to express their dissatisfaction with distance education. 56% of parents find this teaching very ineffective. Parents are often forced to play the role of teachers, working for several hours a day with the youngest who are dependent. Faced with this situation revealed by the survey, the Grouping is asking for a negotiated bill due to the additional costs borne by families. The same source reports that for parents, it is important to think about upgrading the distance education offered. To enable them to cope with the health crisis, the group is demanding a freeze on fee increases for the next three years and a moratorium on unengaged work.