On July 12, 2026, members of the National Union of Teaching (UNE) held a sit-in outside the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports in Rabat to protest the reintroduction of Saturday classes. The protest follows the government's decision to resume a full six-day school week, which had been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The union argues that the new schedule increases teachers' workload without additional compensation and disrupts work-life balance. According to union representatives, the measure was implemented without prior consultation with education stakeholders.
The Ministry of Education has defended the decision, stating that the extra day is necessary to catch up on learning losses and meet curriculum requirements. However, teachers remain skeptical, citing a lack of resources and support.
This is not the first time the Saturday work policy has sparked controversy. Similar protests occurred in 2023 when the government first proposed the change. The current sit-in signals ongoing tensions between educators and authorities over working conditions in Morocco's public schools.
