Government, teachers’ unions reach breakthrough agreement

A period of recurrent strikes is about to get wrapped up with a landmark deal between the government and teachers’ main unions providing for wage hikes of up to 1500 dirhams.

Teachers led nation-wide strikes this year demanding better wages and more benefits, while urging the government to abstain from applying a new law which they perceive as harmful for their interests.

The wage hike will be implemented in two phases in January 2024 and in January 2025, according to the deal.

The deal also covered other demands of teachers, notably allowances, benefits, and promotions.

The strikes stirred anger among parents as pupils have been left out of schools for a long period so far this year, raising fears of a loss of the school year.

Morocco has given priority to the reform of the education system. Education budget has been increased 7% in 2024 to $7.4 billion.

The same budget plans to hire 20,000 new staff as it invests in innovative pedagogical tools to improve the performance of the education system.