Barada: Irregularities in Student Assessment and a Minority of Teachers Affecting the Credibility of Results
Follow-Up
Mohammed Saad Barada, Minister of National Education, Preschool Education, and Sports, revealed the existence of irregularities in student assessments conducted by some teachers. He confirmed that the ministry has started an accurate evaluation through an independent institution to determine the alignment of results with assessments issued by educational inspectors.
During his response to the deputies’ interventions in the Education, Culture, and Communication Committee at the House of Representatives, the minister explained that the ministry has contracted an external independent institution to evaluate the performance of teachers and compare their results with inspection reports. Barada added, “In some cases, we found differences of up to 10% or even 20% between the teacher’s assessment and that of the inspector, while areas like Al-Hoceima recorded differences of no more than 1%, which is a positive model deserving of commendation.”
The minister emphasized that these differences directly affect the credibility of assessments, especially when grades are raised or lowered without objective justification. He stressed that the issue is not widespread but limited to a minority of teachers, as the majority act responsibly and with care for the students’ welfare. He considered the matter more of a behavioral and human issue than an administrative or technical one, calling for an increase in responsibility among educational staff.
In the context of curriculum reform, the minister disclosed that French language textbooks have been completely revised to align with new pedagogical updates and will soon be distributed at symbolic prices, reaching 4 dirhams per book, ensuring the quality of education and enhancing learning efficiency. He explained that the ministry is working to accelerate the pace of curriculum development while considering both quality and time, allowing for modifications to be printed and distributed within a week or two.
Concerning the Pioneer Schools, Barada confirmed that they comply with the provisions of law 51.17 and aim to improve learning outcomes and elevate student levels. He stressed that educational reforms require five to ten years to achieve tangible results and are not merely short-term measures.
