Private Schools in Morocco Face Tuition Dilemma Amid Lockdown

"Our school has never contacted us about paying the fees. The teaching staff is doing a wonderful job and remains available until late in the evening," a parent told L’Économiste. According to him, if there are any possible facilities, it will depend on the evolution of the situation. "If we have the ability to pay, we have to do it. Otherwise, a gesture from the school would be welcome. But what’s important is that there’s no abuse on both sides, trying to take advantage of the situation," he comments.

"Even if schools are concerned about their cash flow, they are focused on the urgency of properly managing distance learning. This is our priority for now," said Moulay Ahmed Lamrani, vice-president of the Union of Private Education and Training. He added that among the large school groups, some are even considering not asking for payment during this entire period. "We welcome mainly middle-class children, whose families could be seriously impacted by the crisis," Lamrani said.

The non-payment of the remaining tuition fees will not be without consequences. "The concern of private schools right now is to pay their employees, teachers and administrators, assuming that this crisis will last until the end of the school year. If all parents decide not to pay, not only will the schools not be able to continue to offer distance learning, but they will have to close down," warned a school principal in Casablanca.