Moroccan Workers' Youth rejects university fees for employees

The Moroccan Workers' Youth (Shabiba 'Amaliya) has voiced strong opposition to proposed registration fees for employees wishing to pursue higher education in Moroccan universities. The organization views these measures, often disguised as "continuing education" or "facilitated training," as a direct assault on the fundamental principle of free education.

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This trend, passed under the names 'continuing education' or 'facilitated training,' is essentially an attempt to strike a blow against the principle of free education and undermine the foundations upon which the public university was established as a space for knowledge, not material profit.

In a statement, the group highlighted that imposing such fees contradicts the core mission of public universities as centers of knowledge, not commercial enterprises. They emphasized that this move comes at a time of rising living costs and eroding purchasing power for workers, making the imposition of fees a dangerous departure from the university's societal role. The Workers' Youth argues that these policies promote "veiled privatization," hinder equal opportunities, and transform education from a constitutional right into a privilege accessible only to those who can afford it.

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Imposing these fees is a dangerous deviation from the university's societal roles and reinforces 'veiled privatization' policies that aim to strike at equal opportunities and transform education from a 'constitutional right' for all into a 'privilege' only attainable by those with the ability to pay.

The organization unequivocally rejects any commercial or fragmented approach to managing university training. They consider any fees levied on employees to be an unjust tax that perpetuates class-based discrimination in accessing knowledge. The Workers' Youth stressed their unwavering commitment to free education as a non-negotiable principle, asserting that the state bears the responsibility for funding public universities.

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Any fees imposed on employees are an unjust tax that perpetuates class discrimination in accessing knowledge.

They urged the relevant ministry and universities to immediately retract these proposed measures and initiate serious dialogue with unions and youth organizations. The goal, they stated, is to find alternative solutions that encourage training and scientific research without burdening individuals with financial costs. The group also announced its full support for all protest actions and unified initiatives aimed at protecting the dignity of Moroccan universities and the rights of employees to training and professional advancement.

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Free education is a red line that cannot be compromised.