Chakib Benmoussa, Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, revealed a 17 billion MAD budget during a press briefing at the government council meeting on Thursday.
The budget will span between four and five years, and will be dedicated to improving the National Education sector, along with an effort to bolster a variety of other initiatives.
Minister Benmoussa outlined the financial commitment for the full reform, including a two-year, nine-billion MAD pay increase for National Education employees, to be earmarked specifically for teachers.
The budget also includes provisions for increased allowances and advancements in the professional career path for specified categories within the sector.
As a significant step toward sector-wide reform, a general pay raise of 1,500 MAD over two years has been approved for 335,000 teachers. Half of this increase came into effect in January, 2023, with the remainder set to be implemented next year.
Benmoussa pointed out that the amendment will raise the net monthly salary of a novice teacher to 6,600 MAD, up from the previous figure of 5,100 MAD.
The Minister of Education highlighted structural changes in career advancement, allowing for the promotion to the rank of excellence, a previously restricted category. For example, primary and middle school teachers, previously unable to exceed scale 11, will now benefit from this measure.
This improvement is estimated to benefit approximately 31,000 employees in 2023 and 2024, followed by 20,000 in 2025 and 25,000 throughout the next two years.
This progression enables teachers to potentially earn up to 15,000 MAD during their careers.
Benmoussa also claimed that the suspension of certain teachers was not motivated by recent strikes, but rather by specific breaches committed by those professionals.
He announced the creation of administrative commissions at the regional level, which will convene next week to personally assess each case and determine necessary actions for each suspension.