Morocco: Remote teaching at start of 2020-2021 academic year; in-person learning still an option – official

Remote teaching will be adopted as an educational model at the start of the 2020-2021 school year, which begins on September 7, in all public and private establishments as well as in foreign missions’ schools, announced on Saturday the Ministry of national education, vocational training, higher education and scientific research.

The ministry said in a statement that the decision concerns all levels across Morocco in the public, private, and foreign education system.

The ministry said that in-person education will be provided for students whose parents choose this system, and that a mechanism will be established to allow families to make such a choice.

 

The decision comes amid the worrying epidemiological situation currently prevailing in the country, marked by a significant increase in cases of contamination and the number of critical cases and deaths.

The total number of confirmed cases in Morocco stands as of Saturday 6 p.m. at 50,812, and the death toll at 858.

 

The ministry also vowed to implement all preventive measures in classes to contain the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of students and educators.

 

Meanwhile, the announcement emphasized that the preventive measures will include firm actions to contain the spread of the pandemic, including the mandatory wearing of facemasks starting in the fifth grade at primary schools.

 

The ministry said that it will adapt the decision regionally or nationally depending on the development of the epidemiological situation.

 

The statement promised more details about the announcement in the coming days.

 

The Ministry also postponed the regional exams to an unspecified date.

 

Earlier this month, the ministry announced that the 2020-2021 academic year will kick off on September 1, with pupils of primary, middle and high schools joining their classrooms on Sept. 7.