Teacher Nezha Majdi released after two and a half months in detention

Thursday 05 March 2026 - 12:51

Moroccan teacher and activist Nezha Majdi has been released after spending two and a half months in detention, drawing renewed attention to the ongoing debate surrounding the country’s contract-based teacher recruitment system.

Majdi, known for her involvement in the movement of contract teachers, completed most of a three-month prison sentence linked to her participation in demonstrations advocating reforms in the education sector. Her release comes at a symbolic moment for the movement, coinciding with the anniversary of the formation of the national coordination group representing teachers hired under contract.

The organization stated that Majdi played a significant role in the creation of the coordination body in Rabat in 2018, alongside other educators who mobilized to defend what they describe as the rights of teachers and the future of public education.

For several years, Morocco has witnessed repeated protests organized by contract teachers who call for their integration into the public civil service system. Participants in the movement argue that the contract-based recruitment model creates job insecurity and unequal working conditions within the education sector.

Supporters of Majdi consider her case to be connected to her activism and her participation in demonstrations related to these demands. Advocacy groups have also expressed concerns about legal actions taken against teachers involved in protests.

In a statement following her release, members of the teachers’ coordination called for the suspension of legal proceedings against educators linked to the protests and urged authorities to reopen dialogue with representatives of the movement.

The issue of teacher recruitment has remained one of the most debated topics in Morocco’s education sector in recent years, as authorities seek to reform public services while teachers’ groups continue to push for greater stability and recognition within the system.