Morocco's education system has faced significant challenges over the past decade, despite efforts to reform the sector. A report by the Higher Council for Education, Training, and Scientific Research revealed that 276,179 students dropped out of school in the 2023-2024 academic year, with 52% of them from middle school. This trend is concerning, as it highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of dropout rates.
The report also found that 35% of primary school students experience academic delays of at least one year, which increases to 51% in middle school and 54% in high school. Furthermore, the rate of students completing their studies remains low, with 92.7% in primary school, 73% in middle school, and 56.3% in high school. These statistics suggest that many students are struggling to keep up with the curriculum.
In higher education, the report tracked a cohort of 183,399 students who enrolled in their first year of university in 2016-2017. The findings were alarming, with 46% of students leaving university without a degree, and 17.7% dropping out in their first year. Only 24% of students obtained their degree within the legal timeframe or shortly after. This highlights the need for universities to provide better support services for students.
The report also noted that the student-teacher ratio has increased from 57 students per teacher to 67 students per teacher in 2023-2024. Additionally, a survey of teachers revealed that they face challenges in accessing continuous training, with limited resources and inadequate digital tools. The survey also found that 74% of middle school teachers have only basic pedagogical skills.
The National Program for Evaluating Student Skills has reported a decline in academic performance in mathematics, science, and languages between 2019 and 2025. The decline ranges from 42 to 48 points in primary school and 21 to 39 points in middle school. The report attributes this decline to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged strikes between 2022 and 2024.
The report also highlights the persistence of social, regional, and gender disparities in education. Girls tend to perform better in languages, but there are still significant gaps in academic achievement. The report also notes that the rate of adult literacy has increased from 64.2% to 72.1% between 2014-2015 and 2023-2024, but there are still significant disparities between urban and rural areas.
The findings of the report have significant implications for education policy in Morocco. The government will need to address the root causes of dropout rates, improve teacher training, and provide better support services for students. Additionally, the government will need to prioritize equity and inclusion in education, targeting disadvantaged regions and groups.
Key points
- 276,000 students dropped out of school in Morocco in 2023-2024.
- 46% of university students leave without a degree.
- Student performance in mathematics, science, and languages has declined between 2019 and 2025.
