This is the rallying cry of medical, dental, and pharmacy students during a protest in Rabat on Sunday. They denounce the persistent deadlock over their demands and the lack of a positive response from the government.
For over two years, these students, under the banner of the National Committee of Medical Students in Morocco (CNEM), have led a peaceful struggle compliant with laws governing strikes and protests, as well as Law 00-01 on higher education.
The CNEM emphasizes that their engagement is primarily academic, civilized, and independent of political orientation, with the priority being the general interest of the nation and specifically medical and pharmaceutical training.
« The prolonged boycott since last December is not a spur-of-the-moment act, but the result of accumulated frustrations and a lack of real reforms. The continuation of this boycott does not mean that students accept a gap year, but reflects their unwavering belief in the legitimacy of their demands, » the CNEM explains.
The significant delay in responding to student demands, now exceeding 200 days, raises questions about the willingness of authorities to resolve this issue. The CNEM questions whether the goal is to use the specter of a gap year. The public should understand that the authorities seem to use this crisis as a tool for political disputes, to the detriment of medical and pharmacy students at public universities.
The CNEM asserts that history will remember that a legitimate academic issue was managed inequitably, undermining the motivation and hope of future doctors and pharmacists for a prosperous healthcare sector.
The CNEM also denounces various forms of « repression, » mentioned in previous statements, ranging from two-year suspensions to permanent university expulsion and the dissolution of representative organizations. This, they say, shows a ministerial intent to confront rather than support and acknowledge the need for reform.
« We have repeatedly expressed our sincere desire to find urgent and concrete solutions to end the crisis, save the academic year, and ensure the quality of medical and pharmaceutical training in Morocco, » the CNEM explains.
Faced with this « irresponsible obstinacy of the ministry, » the CNEM reaffirms its commitment to its representative organizations and their right to demand better system reform through a civilized and peaceful struggle. They express their dissatisfaction with the bitter situation in public faculties for nearly seven months.
The CNEM renews its call to all authorities to show reason and wisdom in addressing their demands, which aim solely to improve the quality of training for future doctors and pharmacists.
The CNEM also highlights the success of its « positive citizenship » campaign and its slogan « fighting negative policies through positive citizenship, » prioritizing the nation’s and citizens’ interests above all else. They see any threat in the media and social networks as further fueling their struggle and strengthening their determination without affecting their student body.
In response to the situation, the CNEM has established a mobilization program in all medical and pharmacy faculties in the country, including several gatherings and regional marches in July, culminating in a large national march in Rabat on July 16 in front of Parliament under the slogan « March of Anger. »
Finally, the CNEM announces a symposium on rights on July 13 to shed light on the various human rights violations and abuses suffered under the sanctions and restrictions imposed on their struggle.
The CNEM reaffirms its commitment to practicing all forms of peaceful escalation it deems appropriate until a serious dialogue leading to a signed agreement occurs.
