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The following is a list of the most prominent national newspaper headlines issued today, Saturday, November 9, 2024:
Settlement minutes end the medical colleges crisis (News)
After months of crisis and boycott of studies and exams, medical and pharmacy students signed a settlement report with the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection under the supervision of the Kingdom’s mediator. Regarding the contents of the new proposal, Muhammad Hajouji, on behalf of the National Committee for Students in Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, explained that it included a response to the majority of medical students’ demands included in their demand file, explaining that among these points is the commitment not to reduce the years of study for cohorts enrolled before the date of March 13, 2023. (Date of publication of the ministerial decision), subjecting it to the decision that was in effect before its issuance.
Lawyers welcome mediation to end tension (News)
There are signs of a breakthrough in the current crisis between the Ministry of Justice and the Moroccan Bar Association, after a meeting between the Minister of Justice, Abdel Latif Wehbe, and some members of the aforementioned association, for the sake of dialogue on the horizon of finding a solution to the differing views on the draft civil procedure law, according to sources from the Bar Association. . The delegation of the same association indicated its commitment to continuing the comprehensive boycott of the courts, while demanding the necessity of continuing dialogue in order to find a solution to the difference of views on a number of chapters of the draft law on civil procedure. The meeting concluded with a delegation from the association holding a dialogue session with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, to discuss the issue and search for solutions.
Benmoussa reveals his recipe for developing the High Commission for Planning (Moroccan Sahara)
Chakib Benmoussa, High Commissioner for Planning, said that the High Commission for Planning is facing many transformations in its work methodology, starting next year. Benmoussa revealed, during the discussion of the delegation’s budget for 2025, in the Finance and Economic Development Committee of the House of Representatives, that the delegation is working on adding a new work methodology according to modern standards that will give its work a positive dimension during the coming year. Among the transformations that the High Commission for Planning will witness, Benmoussa announced that there will be thinking about studies at the regional level, as “these studies will be launched according to the specificity of each region, which is an effective solution in providing credible indicators and numbers at the regional level.”
The Prime Minister leads the first steps to implement the royal directives related to community affairs (Moroccan Sahara)
In implementation of the high royal instructions contained in the speech addressed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the victorious Green March, the Prime Minister, Aziz Akhannouch, chaired a meeting during which the mechanisms necessary to implement the high royal vision, aimed at bringing about a new transformation in the field of managing the affairs of the Moroccan community, were discussed. abroad, and improve their situation. A statement from the Presidency of the Government stated that at the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister recalled the contents of the royal speech that outlined the features of these reform workshops, represented by the restructuring of the institutional framework of the “Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad,” and the creation of the “Mohammadia Foundation for Moroccans Residing Abroad,” stressing that the government had decided The Royal Messages were delivered with great care and thought, and all capabilities were mobilized to make this reform a success.
Census numbers scatter party cards (Sabah)
The details of the General Population and Housing Census numbers carried unpleasant news for the parties regarding the upcoming elections, and the parties were now required to begin the process of redeployment, in preparation for the transfer of a significant number of electoral districts from the individual voting system to the list system, which contradicts their demands to return to the old system, after two decades. It is a difficult test for proportional voting in the list. To indicate the importance of the changes that will be caused by the data announced by the High Commission for Planning, Al-Sabah sources gave an example of this in the Mediouna region, in which three of the four communities will move to the list system, namely the Hrawiyin community, Tit Mlil, and Sidi Hajjaj Oued Hisar (more than 50 thousand). Nessma).
Approval of the merger of “Knobs” and Social Security (Al-Sabah)
The Government Council approved Draft Law No. 54.23 amending and supplementing Law No. 65.00 relating to basic compulsory sickness insurance and enacting special provisions (new formula), presented by the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Amine Tahraoui. The Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister in charge of relations with Parliament, the official spokesman for the government, Mustafa Paytas, explained during a press conference following the weekly meeting of the Council that, according to this draft law, the task of managing the basic compulsory sickness insurance system for the public sector will be entrusted to the National Social Security Fund. The National Fund was replaced by social reserve organizations, so that the basic health insurance systems became managed by a single body.
Census 2024: 71 percent of the population is concentrated in only five regions (evening)
A news note from the High Commission for Planning, on the legal population of the Kingdom of Morocco distributed among regions, regions, prefectures and communes according to the 2024 General Population and Housing Census, revealed that five regions house 71.2 percent of the population nationally. The delegation highlighted in this memorandum that the Casablanca-Settat region comes in first place with 7 million and 689 thousand people, or 20.9 percent of the total population of the Kingdom, followed by the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region with 5 million and 133 thousand people, then the Marrakesh region. Safi, with 4 million and 892 thousand people, and the destination Fez-Meknes with 4 million and 468 thousand people, and the destination Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima with 4 million and 30 thousand people.
National sugar production declined from 600 to 191 thousand tons (Socialist Union)
The severe drought that struck Morocco during the past four seasons affected the chain of sugar crops, which until recently covered 67 thousand hectares before shrinking during the last agricultural season to 23 thousand hectares of sugar beets. The sugar sector witnessed a sharp decline between 2019 and 2024, as production decreased by 68 percent. National production of white sugar reached its peak in 2019 at 600,000 tons, but it witnessed a sharp deterioration in the last three years and reached its lowest levels in 2024, when it no longer exceeded 191,000 tons.
The French Development Agency group confirms that it will begin investing in the Moroccan Sahara (Socialist Union)
The Executive Director of the French Development Agency Group, Remy Rioux, who intends to visit the southern provinces of the Kingdom soon, announced that the group will now begin investing in the Moroccan Sahara. Rio said, in a press interview, “The French Development Agency group will now invest in the desert, which is a link between Morocco and its neighboring countries.” “I will soon visit Laayoune and Dakhla to meet the local residents,” he said, stressing that this decision is supported by a comprehensive approach to Africa, an approach that the French Development Agency appreciates that it shares with Morocco.
Study: About two-thirds of Moroccans are concerned about environmental pollution (Message of the Nation)
A study published by the Independent African Research Network (AfroBarometer) revealed that about two-thirds of Moroccans see environmental pollution as a serious problem. The study, which was based on the results of an opinion poll that included 39 African countries, revealed that 64 percent of the Moroccans polled believe that the pollution problem is “somewhat serious” or “very serious,” while 72 percent of people are concerned about this environmental problem, in particular. Of city dwellers.
The College of Educational Sciences in Rabat launches a university degree on teaching the deaf and sign language at the College of Educational Sciences (Message of the Nation)
A university degree on teaching the deaf and sign language was launched at the Faculty of Educational Sciences in Rabat, with the aim of developing the educational skills of educational frameworks charged with teaching deaf and hard of hearing children. This university degree, which was launched with support from the United States Agency for International Development, seeks to inform these educational frameworks of the best practices necessary for teaching and communicating with these children in a comprehensive and appropriate educational environment. In this context, the Dean of the Faculty of Educational Sciences, Abdel Latif Kadai, confirmed that this certificate program, which is the first of its kind in Morocco, aims to provide university education in sign language to support deaf people in their academic path, and to form educational frameworks proficient in sign language.
The tourism sector launches the “Tourism Projects Bank” (Le Matin)
The Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, Social and Solidarity Economy and the Moroccan Company for Tourism Engineering launched the “Tourism Projects Bank”, a digital platform aimed at stimulating Moroccan tourism investment, especially among young people. A statement from the Ministry stated that this platform proposes, within the framework of the 2023-2026 tourism roadmap, a group of more than 200 model projects that serve as inspiring and replicable models across the Kingdom. The same source added that this initiative ultimately aims to reach 600 projects, which would cover more tourism experiences in different regions.
The federal opposition expresses its fear about the future of foreign trade (Liberation)
Member of the Socialist Team (Federal Opposition), Malika Al-Zakhnini, asked Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch to reveal the decisions he intends to take in order to protect the nation’s food sovereignty, as well as protect production chains and protect the economic cycle. The Socialist Group called for the necessity of a comprehensive review of the government’s policies on foreign trade, to ensure the sustainability of economic growth and enhance the competitiveness of Moroccan products in international markets.
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**Interview with Dr. Salma Amrani, Education Policy Expert**
*Host:* Good evening, Dr. Amrani. Thank you for joining us today to discuss some pressing news from Morocco, particularly focused on education and social issues.
*Dr. Amrani:* Thank you for having me. I’m pleased to discuss these important topics.
*Host:* Let’s start with the resolution of the medical colleges crisis. After months of boycotts and protests, medical and pharmacy students have reached a settlement with the government. How significant is this agreement for the education system in Morocco?
*Dr. Amrani:* It’s a crucial moment for the medical and pharmacy education sectors. This agreement addresses the pressing concerns of students and maintains the integrity of their academic timeline, which is vital for their future careers. Maintaining the years of study for cohorts enrolled before March 2023 is a major win for students. It reinforces the need for the government to engage in dialogue with educational stakeholders, which can lead to a more constructive educational environment.
*Host:* We also heard about the ongoing dialogue between the Ministry of Justice and the Moroccan Bar Association regarding the draft civil procedure law. How do you assess their commitment to resolving tensions?
*Dr. Amrani:* The willingness of both sides to engage in dialogue is commendable. It shows a legacy of collaboration in addressing legal reforms. However, the Bar Association’s continuation of the boycott indicates that trust is still a significant issue, and ongoing discussions are essential to reach a consensus. It’s important that they find common ground on the draft law to ensure a functional legal system.
*Host:* Another pressing issue is the census revealing that the majority of Morocco’s population is concentrated in just five regions. What implications does this have for regional development and policy-making?
*Dr. Amrani:* This concentration of population can exacerbate inequalities in resource allocation and public services. Policymakers need to create tailored development strategies that take into account the unique needs of these densely populated areas, as well as underdeveloped regions. A focus on regional studies can enhance data accuracy, leading to better-informed decisions that foster equitable growth.
*Host:* Speaking of growth, the French Development Agency has announced plans to invest in the Moroccan Sahara. What potential impact could this have on the local economy?
*Dr. Amrani:* Targeted investment in the Sahara is a positive step that can catalyze economic development and create jobs in the region. It’s essential that these investments not only improve infrastructure but also engage local communities for sustainable development. This could potentially boost trade relations and enhance Morocco’s standing in the region while addressing development disparities.
*Host:* a study indicated that about two-thirds of Moroccans are concerned about environmental pollution. How should the government address these concerns?
*Dr. Amrani:* The government must prioritize environmental policies that address pollution in urban and rural areas. This includes stronger regulations, public awareness campaigns, and investments in clean technologies. Engaging communities in environmental initiatives is also crucial to ensure that solutions are practical and effective. Listening to citizens’ concerns can lead to sustainable policies that protect our natural resources for future generations.
*Host:* Thank you, Dr. Amrani, for your insights on these critical issues facing Morocco. We appreciate your time and expertise.
*Dr. Amrani:* Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep these conversations ongoing for the betterment of society.