Moroccan Teachers' Union Calls for National School Transport Agency

RABAT, Morocco — The National Union of Education-Democratic Orientation (FNE) in Morocco has urged the incoming government to establish a national public agency for school transport, citing several issues with the current management of the service. The union highlighted problems such as inadequate bus fleets, long distances traveled by students, overcrowding, and lack of safety and maintenance conditions.

The FNE also criticized the insufficient monitoring and enforcement of contractual obligations by associations tasked with managing school transport, as well as the lack of transparency, quality, and continuity in the service.

Abdellah Agmimt, the national secretary-general of the union, warned that these issues directly impact students' right to education and exacerbate disparities between rural and urban areas. He noted that some underprivileged families may withdraw their children from school due to the inability to afford transportation costs, leading to increased dropout rates, particularly among girls.

The union proposed that the new agency should manage a national fleet of school buses, ensuring their maintenance, renewal, and adherence to safety and quality standards. It should also guarantee the regularity and continuity of transport services, with a focus on rural, marginalized, and educationally disadvantaged areas. Additionally, the agency should employ drivers under clear professional and social conditions, ensuring their rights, job stability, and dignity.

The union also emphasized the need for effective monitoring, evaluation, and accountability mechanisms to ensure the proper management of public resources.

Abdellah Khadri, President of the Moroccan Center for Human Rights and a researcher in political economy and public management, also weighed in on the issue, considering the current obstacles to the efficiency of the school transport system.

CONTEXT: This development underscores the challenges faced in providing adequate school transport services in Morocco, which can significantly impact students' access to education, particularly in rural and marginalized areas. The call for a national agency reflects broader efforts to improve public service management and ensure equitable access to education.