The standoff between general medicine and pharmacy students and the government continues. The Minister of Higher Education, Abdellatif Miraoui, faces criticism and is accused of perpetuating the crisis. During a press conference this Thursday, journalists highlighted one of his recent statements.
Responding to questions during the weekly session at the House of Councillors, the minister stated that it is still possible to save the academic year, as exams are scheduled for next week. He expressed his hope that the National Coordination of Medical Students in Morocco (CNEM) « allows students to participate. »
« When I say allow, it’s because the coordination (CNEM) is telling them not to attend, » he added.
This Thursday, Mustapha Baitas was questioned about this statement and the claims that the government had labeled medical students as traitors.
Baitas responded, emphasizing the importance of word choice: « The government has never called medical students traitors and will never do so. When was this said? (…) The government will never call anyone a traitor. Is there a clear statement to that effect? Care should be taken with such remarks, » he retorted.
The government spokesman then stressed the government’s good faith in this matter and recalled that a parliamentary commission was created to address the crisis, with the presence of the relevant ministers. He invited the public to review the previous press conference to see the technical approach taken to address the various raised questions.
