Morocco Considers Expanding Remote Learning as Omicron Cases Rise

Is Morocco once again heading towards the generalization of distance learning? This is becoming evident given the provisions already being taken by certain schools in the face of cases of contamination. Contacted by SNRTnews, the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, indicated that there will be no general decision, as the epidemiological situation is still well under control. "Everything will be done on a case-by-case basis, because the number of infections depends on each region of the country, and generalizing a decision without taking this very important criterion into account is not very useful".

Chakib Benmoussa, the Minister of Education, had announced that "if three cases of infection are recorded in a class, the class will be closed. If the number is higher, the establishment will be closed". He justifies his decision by the fact that Morocco cannot close all establishments while the epidemiological situation is normal. "The school will close its doors for a period of seven days if the number exceeds ten people," the ministry specifies.

For Noureddine Akkouri, president of the National Federation of Associations of Parents of Moroccan Students (FNAPEM), closing schools could slow down the smooth continuity of lessons in private and public establishments. "The previous experience that the Kingdom has gone through has revealed that the level of equipment and access to the internet of Moroccan school establishments was very limited. I don’t think that the implementation of distance learning is accessible to all students in an equitable manner," notes Noureddine Akkouri. He specifies that "it is very rare to have a good connection in the rural world or even to have the appropriate technical means".

Ali Fannach, vice-president of the FNAPEM, shares the same fear. He thinks that many teachers are not trained in digital technology and do not master computer tools. "All school staff need to be trained in new technologies and students need to be provided with the equipment that will allow them to communicate properly with their teachers, such as tablets, etc."