At the start of his presentation, the minister stressed that the new school year coincides with a particular context, marked by a worrying and unstable epidemiological situation, adding that despite the health situation, his ministry is still carrying out its action program as presented before HM the King, the provisions of framework law 51-17 relating to the system of education, training and scientific research, and the government program.

The ministry has worked to guarantee the constitutional and fundamental right to school by taking up the challenge of the start of the school year on September 7 and by organizing in September and October the examinations postponed in 2020-2019 school year in safe conditions, while continuing the efforts for the adoption of the concept of remote education, in light of the persistence of the coronavirus pandemic and its disastrous consequences that may affect the academic results of pupils.

The official specified that the total number of students reached 8,704,409, including 776,409 new enrolled ones in the first grade, adding that with the implementation of the National Program for Preschool Education Generalization and Development, the Number of children enrolled in preschool education has increased this year to more than 910,000 children, with around 140,000 new expected enrollments.

The ministry has set up 179 new schools, including community schools and boarding schools to receive students by mobilizing some 310,183 teachers and administrators, including 15,000 new teachers who graduated from regional education and training academies, he said.

In order to implement the decisions taken by the government concerning the strict compliance with the preventive measures to stem the Covid-19 epidemic in certain prefectures, regions and neighborhoods, the concept of remote education has been adopted at the level of 2,265 schools including more than 972,000 students.

In addition, 118 schools with around 61,000 students were closed due to the discovery of positive cases. These cases concern 413 students, 807 teachers, 129 administrative staff and 79 civil servants.

According to the minister, the back-to-school monitoring process, led by 816 regional committees, made it possible to visit 4,821 public and private schools.

In terms of vocational training, there are no less than 282,730 new trainees, he said, noting that the ministry has set up 17 new centers and 8 boarding schools to accommodate new persons.

As for higher education, the total number of students will reach 1,790,329, including 296,000 new students. Two university establishments and three university campuses will also be open.