Radio ExpressTV
Live
Midaoui Rejects Protectionism for Public Universities and Affirms Competition with the Private Sector as Essential for Higher Education Development
Azeddine Midaoui, the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, emphasized the need for public universities to engage in competition within an educational environment that increasingly includes the private sector. He rejected granting any form of legal protectionism to public universities, insisting that competition remains a fundamental condition for advancing the higher education and scientific research system.
Midaoui made his comments yesterday, during a meeting of the Education Committee convened to vote on the provisions of Bill No. 59.24 related to higher education and scientific research. He stated that public universities, like other productive sectors, cannot evolve without genuine competition. He noted that the ongoing legislative reform aims to provide mechanisms to enhance their competitiveness and enable them to stand on their own rather than relying solely on public support while stifling the development of other entities.
The minister affirmed that public higher education remains the most capable of attracting and excelling, given its wealth of academic competencies and accumulated experience, along with its strategic roles within Moroccan society. He pointed out that the new laws aim to lift protective constraints and grant universities pedagogical, scientific, administrative, and financial autonomy while the state continues to provide the necessary resources and capabilities.
Regarding the controversy surrounding the inclusion of national and religious values in the bill, Midaoui argued that these values are deeply rooted in the hearts of Moroccans and do not need to be reiterated in legal texts, describing their acknowledgment as something obvious that does not raise any concerns, as it constitutes one of the fundamental constants of society.
During the parliamentary discussion, MP Fatima Tamani proposed replacing the term “human capital” with “human element,” claiming it embodies a more humane and inclusive perspective. She also called for the removal of the phrase regarding cooperation between the public and private sectors, warning of its ambiguity and potential impact on the public nature of education.
In response, the minister stated that the concept of human capital is recognized in national references and royal guidelines, reflecting a positive aspect of public policies. He explained that the term “element” alludes to a biological perspective rather than a legal or political one. As for the cooperation between the public and private sectors, Midaoui affirmed it is a strategic choice that serves the public interest, arguing that the two sectors complement each other, especially since students in private education are also Moroccan children.
Additionally, the Socialist opposition group called for clarification on who is responsible for preparing the strategic plan for higher education and scientific research, including defining its legal nature, timelines, and tracking and evaluation tools, while ensuring spatial justice and placing the researcher-teacher at the center of the reform.
In his reply, the minister clarified that the strategic plan is a tool that requires a broad participatory approach and cannot be confined to a narrow technical framework, mentioning that principles of spatial justice and tracking mechanisms have been included in other legal texts within the reform system.
