Morocco Considers French or English for Science Education, University Leaders Say

In a press release, the CPU indicates that "to remain consistent, while placing the supreme interest of the country before all other considerations, the CPU supports and recommends the teaching of scientific subjects in French at all levels of education and training, while putting in place the necessary conditions for the teaching of these subjects also in English". This opinion, it is explained, is made public following the debate initiated on the reform of the education system.

Thus, it is recommended to use these languages from the primary level to allow young people to master them, in addition to Arabic and Amazigh, reports the CPU, in order "to acquire in this way a multilingualism whose benefits on their learning and, later, on their professional integration, are no longer to be demonstrated".

The speakers believe that Moroccan students from public schools "experience a real linguistic divide between high school and university", due to the use of Arabic in primary and secondary education and French in high schools and universities.

Moroccans do not seem to be against the teaching of foreign languages in school but they would prefer English rather than French. In a 2015 survey conducted by the Hespress website, in which 40,000 people participated, 86% of them wished to replace the language of Molière with that of Shakespeare. The respondents criticize French for its limitations in access to knowledge and economic opportunities, primarily the job market.