Moroccan education inspectors announce national strikes

A coalition of five major educational unions representing planning and guidance inspectors in Morocco has announced an escalation of protests against the Ministry of National Education. The coordination group, which includes representatives from UMT, CDT, UGTM, FNE, and FDT, is responding to what they describe as the ministry’s continued delay in addressing their professional grievances.

The planned protest program consists of three stages of national strikes and sit-ins. The first phase is scheduled for October 28, involving a national strike and sit-ins at provincial directorates. A second national strike and sit-ins at regional academies are set for November 11. The escalation will culminate on December 1 with a national strike, a central sit-in at the Ministry of National Education, and a march toward the Parliament.

The disputes date back to July and involve issues regarding the signing of entry and exit reports, as well as claims that inspectors are being prevented from performing their original duties as defined by the civil service statutes. The unions also accused certain regional directorates of using “intimidation and threats” by attempting to assign inspectors to office-based or school-sector tasks that exceed their legal competencies.