The Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports has refuted reports extensively circulating on social media about the postponement of midterm school holidays from January 21 to February 11–stating that the press release is false–in a post on Monday morning.
The phony statement, which utilized the ministry’s layout and logo, claimed that the decision was intended to promote an optimal learning environment and equitable access to education.
However, the Ministry confirmed that the official schedule remains intact, noting that school breaks are scheduled to take place from January 21 to January 28, according to the academic calendar for 2023–2024.
Consequently, this disinformation popped up amid an extremely challenging period for Morocco’s school system. With tens of thousands on strike for three months, the Ministry of National Education, led by Chakib Benmoussa, has experienced enormous interruptions.
To solve the current situation, the Ministry has implemented steps such as extending the school year by one week across all levels, altering courses to fulfill syllabi, and modifying exam schedules. However, these measures were later deemed inadequate by teachers’ associations and unions.
The unrelenting demonstrations against the fundamental law raise concern for students’ futures and for the broader ramifications of the strikes, as many teachers have received suspension orders from regional directorates under the authority of the Ministry of National Education.