Rabat’s Descartes High School Switches to Remote Learning Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

In an urgent note addressed to the parents of students, the school administration states that the decision follows an alert concerning 10 cases of Covid-19 positive students after tests initiated by their parents. While the administration claims that this decision was made in collaboration with the Moroccan authorities, it also states that the surge in positive Covid-19 cases could be linked to the organization of two parties and birthdays attended by students in person and their classmates in 100% distance learning since the start of the school year.

Among the 10 Covid-19 positive students, 5 are in high school and 1 in middle school, details the school administration’s note, stressing that "the number of cases is increasing by the hour" and that "400 contact cases, among students and adults are in isolation following the health protocol".

On the Moroccan authorities’ side, the focus is on strengthening awareness, without however excluding the possibility of initiating legal proceedings against the parents of students who organized or authorized these parties, warns an authority agent, invited to the meeting held at the school with the parents of students.

Before closing the doors to students, the school authorities are organizing a PCR test campaign for the benefit of the students this Friday, the eve of the closure.