The National Committee of Medical and Pharmacy Students has announced a resolution to the long-standing demands of medical students through an agreement with the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation. Brokered by Morocco’s National Mediator, the accord marks the end of a crisis that left the nation’s medical and pharmacy schools in a standstill for over eleven months.
According to a source within the committee, the agreement, reached after hours of detailed negotiation, addresses the students’ primary concerns. This resolution follows a significant day of democratic voting in which students gathered en masse to cast their votes on the government’s proposal. The approved arrangement prevents the application of a recent policy affecting students enrolled before March 13, 2023, preserving previous educational standards for those cohorts. This new offer was formally presented last Sunday, providing a path forward for students to return to their studies.
With this settlement, students expressed hope and a sense of accomplishment as they prepare to reenter their studies after more than eleven months of protest. They highlighted the unwavering support of their families, professors, and various national organizations throughout the movement. The ministry’s agreement includes commitments to increase stipends, re-establish student unions, and rescind disciplinary actions taken against striking students. As part of the reforms, clinical training schedules and examination provisions will be revised to enhance medical education quality, setting a promising stage for Morocco’s medical students to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s healthcare system.
08/11/2024
