French Mission schools: Parents see red

Indeed, according to statements from some parents of pupils, tuition fees for a kindergarten pupil are set to be 33,030 DH for the 2012-2013 school year, before reaching 34,380 DH the following year and 35,730 DH for 2014-2015.

Regarding primary school pupils, tuition fees are set to be 29,430 DH before reaching 31,230 DH and 33,120 DH respectively.

For their part, middle and high school pupils will be required to pay 34,110 DH and 39,780 DH respectively, before paying 36,360 DH and 41,400 DH the following year, and 38,790 DH and 43,020 DH for the 2014-2015 school year.

Registration fees have also been increased to between 5,000 and 6,000 DH, and between 10,000 and 11,000 DH for new students.

These prices are described by parents as exorbitant and unfair, and deserve to be reduced. These remarks seem to have fallen on deaf ears, as the French official who took the trouble to travel to Morocco to hear the parents' complaints remained firm, declaring to anyone who would listen that the decided increases would be maintained.

For their part, the parents do not seem ready to give in. They intend to protest until justice is served. Planned protest actions include an online petition, a "dead school" day—children at home and parents at school—and sending letters to political officials.

Provider / Source : H.B, Libération