After months of protests, Moroccan pharmacy students agreed on Monday to end their boycott and return to classes following successful mediation by the country’s Ombudsman, according to a report from SNRT News.
Reached during a meeting on Sunday, the agreement marks an to the stalemate between the students and the Ministry of Higher Education.
The pharmacy students ratified the agreement on September 22, 2024, which addresses several of the key issues raised during the boycott. Meanwhile, medical students, who are also part of the broader protest, are expected to respond to a similar proposal from the government later this week.
A source within the Ombudsman’s office told SNRT News that their role was to facilitate dialogue between the students and the government, helping both parties reach a consensus in the national interest. The final settlement addresses many of the pharmacy students’ issues while allowing the Ministry to maintain its policies on medical education.
Among the resolutions, the government agreed to provide financial compensation to pharmacy students for their internships, comparable to the stipends offered to medical students.
The payments will range from MAD 1,200 to MAD 2,400 (approximately USD 120 to USD 240). In addition, the Ministry committed to ensuring that sixth-year pharmacy students have access to adequate internship opportunities. Fifth-year students will see their curriculum adjusted to include four internships, each lasting six weeks, starting from the 2024-2025 academic year.
The agreement also addressed concerns about the national selective exam, which pharmacy students had previously criticized. The Ombudsman ruled that no changes would be made to the exam, as it involves other student groups and their rights.
Decisions regarding the exam will remain with Morocco’s medical and pharmacy faculties.
In exchange for the concessions, the students have agreed to end their boycott of classes and exams and will return to their universities to resume academic training immediately.
The student protests, which began earlier this year, were driven by frustrations over internship placements, compensation, and the exam system.
Pharmacy and medical students had staged repeated walkouts and demonstrations, accusing the government of neglecting their concerns and failing to provide adequate resources for their education.
The Ombudsman has formally presented the settlement to the Minister of Higher Education. However, the medical students, who share many of the same concerns as the pharmacy students, have not yet accepted the government’s offer. The Ombudsman is expected to meet with their representatives later today to discuss their final decision.
While the resolution with the pharmacy students is significant progress, some broader issues remain unresolved. One such issue is the demand to limit admissions to pharmacy programs, a matter the government has argued falls under public health policy and cannot be addressed through student protests.