Rabat- Demonstrators organized protest stances in Moroccan cities on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, during which they raised slogans calling for the reform of the health and education systems, including: “Health first is not in the World Cup ginash” and “No validity, no education, this is the Maghreb of God Karim.”
A youth group active on social media, called for itself called “Genz 212” (Gil Z 212).
The authorities issued proactive decisions that prevent the protests, claiming that they were not licensed, and the security forces force by force, and arrested a number of protesters and released them after hours.
A number of human rights associations and political parties denounced the statements of preventing the protests and dispersing them by force, calling for listening to the demands of the protesters and respecting the right to peaceful demonstration.
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Former Prime Minister Saad al -Din al -Othmani considered that the protests witnessed by a number of Moroccan cities “an indication of the need for the government to change the path of its work and its speech.”
In a post, Al -Othmani said that these protests “indicate that the social situation is very worrying due to the increasing unemployment, calling for the remedying of matters, taking effective measures, behavior of frankness and good communication with citizens.”
As for the Speaker of the house of Representatives and the leader of the National Rally of Independents Party – which leads the government – Rashid
Morocco’s 2025 Budget: Education, Health, and Socioeconomic Challenges
Morocco’s 2025 budget reflects a continued focus on social sectors, tho meaningful challenges remain in education, healthcare, unemployment, and poverty. The overall budget totals 72.1 billion dollars, with allocations aimed at bolstering key areas of progress.
1- education Sector
The education sector has seen consistent growth in recent years. the budget increased from 69 billion dirhams (6.7 billion dollars) in 2023 to 74 billion (8.1 billion dollars) in 2024, reaching 86 billion (8.2 billion dollars) in 2025 – representing 12% of the public budget. Currently, 8 million and 271 thousand students are enrolled in basic education, served by 299 thousand and 129 professors, resulting in a ratio of approximately 36 teachers per thousand students.
The Ministry of National Education and Primary Education has implemented class size limits, aiming for a maximum of 30 students in the first year of primary school and 36 at other levels. However, overcrowding persists in 1% of primary schools and 12% of preparatory and secondary schools, particularly in densely populated urban outskirts.
Higher education encompasses 1 million and 159 thousand students across 162 government institutions and 12 universities,supported by 17 thousand university professors. University graduates account for 135 thousand of the total graduates, representing 75%.
Despite these investments, Morocco’s education quality remains a concern. The Economic and Social Forum (Davos) ranked the country 101st globally,ninth in the world,while the World Knowledge Index placed Morocco 98th out of 141 countries.
2- Health Sector
the health sector budget has also increased, moving from 28 billion dirhams (3 billion dollars) in 2023 to 30 billion dirhams (3.2 billion dollars) in 2024, and finally to 32.6 billion dirhams (3.5 billion dollars) in 2025, constituting around 4% of the public budget.
Morocco’s public health infrastructure includes 6 university hospitals and 3078 government healthcare institutions, with 2186 located in rural areas. Though, the country faces a shortage of medical professionals. There are 15,600 doctors, equating to 0.43 doctors per thousand people – significantly lower than the global average of 1.72. The nursing workforce numbers 41,600, or 1.1 nurses per thousand people, also below the global average of 3.86.
These shortcomings are reflected in global health rankings. Morocco was ranked 94th out of 99 countries in the 2025 Global Health Care Index issued by Nambio, a data analysis and statistics website.
Sari Criticizes Government Claims Amidst Economic challenges
Opposition figure Sari has sharply criticized the ruling party’s claims of unprecedented achievements, arguing that such statements are insensitive given the country’s current economic difficulties. Sari specifically pointed to a high unemployment rate and stagnant wages as evidence contradicting the government’s optimistic narrative.
Government’s Claims of Success Challenged
According to the provided information, party officials have been emphasizing a record of accomplishments and presenting themselves as the most accomplished government in the nation’s history. However, Sari contends that this messaging is a “provocation to citizens” when juxtaposed with the reality of approximately 13% unemployment and rising prices coupled with frozen wages. While the specific country isn’t named in the source material, the situation reflects broader global economic concerns.
economic Indicators and Concerns
A 13% unemployment rate signifies a significant portion of the workforce is actively seeking employment without success. This can lead to decreased consumer spending, increased social unrest, and strain on social safety nets.The International Labor Organization (ILO) provides complete data and analysis on global unemployment trends. Furthermore,high prices (inflation) erode purchasing power,meaning people can buy less with the same amount of money. When wages remain fixed in the face of inflation, the real value of earnings decreases, further impacting living standards.
Call for Open Dialog
Sari has called for a national discussion and dialogue to address the shortcomings and imbalances within key sectors of the country. This suggests a desire for a more transparent and collaborative approach to problem-solving, moving beyond simply touting achievements. The aim is to identify and overcome obstacles to future economic growth and stability.
Key Takeaways
- The government is presenting a positive image of its performance.
- Sari argues this image is disconnected from the economic realities faced by citizens.
- High unemployment (around 13%) and stagnant wages are key concerns.
- A call for open dialogue and addressing systemic issues has been made.
Looking Ahead
The criticisms leveled by Sari highlight the importance of aligning political rhetoric with economic realities. A constructive national conversation, as proposed, coudl be crucial for developing effective policies to address unemployment, inflation, and wage stagnation. The success of any government ultimately depends on its ability to improve the lives of its citizens, and transparently acknowledging challenges is a vital step in that process.