Marruecos decide que el próximo curso escolar se realice a distancia

The Moroccan government decided that the next school year 2020-2021, which begins on 7 September, will be distance learning at all levels in the public and private sectors, although it committed itself to guaranteeing face-to-face teaching for those students whose parents request it.

This decision, taken due to the increase in coronavirus infections, also affects the new school year in the schools of the foreign missions, the Moroccan Ministry of Education and National Education said in a statement.

Distance education will thus be the general rule, but the department will guarantee the face-to-face course for students whose parents opt for this model, and it undertook to establish the necessary modalities to implement this option.

The note explained that this decision was taken in view of the "worrying epidemiological situation" currently prevailing in Morocco, marked by a significant increase in cases of coronavirus infection.

It added that in order to preserve the health of students, educational and administrative staff, the Ministry had established a strict precautionary protocol based on preventive measures taken by the health authorities.

Precautionary measures include the mandatory use of masks from the fifth year of primary school, regular hand-washing, respect for physical distance by reducing the number of students in the classroom and disinfection of the various educational institutions.

The Ministry stressed that this educational plan for the next school year could be changed at local, provincial or regional level to adapt to the changing epidemic situation in each region in coordination with local and health authorities.

On 20 March, the Moroccan government implemented the "state of health emergency" throughout the country, which includes restrictions on movement, a ban on collective activities and the closure of most public and private institutions.

So far, Morocco has recorded 50,812 confirmed cases of coronavirus, of which 858 patients have died and 35,040 have been cured.