Morocco’s Private Schools Face Tuition Payment Standoff Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

The administrations of private schools have sent letters to parents asking them to pay the March tuition installment. But they have met with the categorical refusal of some, who for the most part are on temporary layoff due to the lockdown imposed on all citizens to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the kingdom. These parents demand an exemption from school fees, or failing that, payment facilities for the rest of the year.

Opinions are now divided around the payment of the remaining tuition fees. Some believe that the claims of the administrations are legitimate, in the sense that the educational teams are providing distance learning to students since the closure of schools. Mohamed, 48, a father, disapproves of the attitude of private schools. He cannot conceive that the school his two sons attend is asking him for the amount due when the lockdown has put an end to his activities.

Leila, a young mother whose activity is not impacted by the health crisis, says she does not intend to honor her commitments, since the school service is no longer provided. Conversely, other parents are surprised by the refusal of some families to honor their commitments. "Logic would dictate that only families in need deviate from the norm," explains Khadija, a mother of two children.

For his part, the president of the federation of private schools, Abdessalam Amour, recalls that private schools are corporate citizens and that they will see how to support families affected by the consequences of the current health crisis. These families will have to submit a request accompanied by documents justifying the layoff or the possible impact on the activity.