Meeting of the Government Council on Thursday, September 14, 2023
The government held a meeting of the Government Council on Thursday, Safar 28, 1445, corresponding to September 14, 2023. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, the Head of the government, and was dedicated to sectoral presentations and discussions on several legislative texts and proposals for appointments to high-level positions in accordance with Article 92 of the Constitution.
At the beginning of this meeting, in accordance with the royal instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God glorify him, the government reaffirmed its full commitment to addressing the effects of the painful earthquake that struck our country on the evening of Friday, September 8, 2023. It also praised the spirit of solidarity and cooperation continually demonstrated by the Moroccan people in such circumstances.
In line with this national solidarity effort, and in accordance with Article 40 of the Constitution, which states that everyone must bear, in a spirit of solidarity and in proportion to their means, the costs necessary for the country's development, as well as those resulting from the burdens caused by natural disasters affecting the country, the government has decided that:
Ministers, deputy ministers, high commissioners, the general commissioner, and the ministerial delegate will contribute one month's salary, deducted from the net salary, including income tax and retirement and solidarity contributions.
Civil servants and employees of the state, local authorities, and public institutions and enterprises classified in the ninth rank and above, or their equivalent, will contribute with one day's salary for each month, for three months, deducted from the net salary, including income tax and retirement and solidarity contributions (one day's salary for the months of September, October, and November).
Following that, the Government Council examined a presentation on the academic year 2023-2024, presented by Mr. Abdelatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation. This presentation addressed various data and developments of the academic year 2023/2024, which started on Monday, September 11, 2023, under the theme "Empowerment, Excellence, and Innovation."
In this context, the minister noted that most indicators of higher education would experience growth during the current academic year, with an expected increase of 6.7% in the number of new students enrolled in higher education, across all components (public university higher education, non-university higher education, and private higher education), reaching 343,409 students for the year 2023-2024, compared to the academic year 2022-2023.
The minister also emphasized that the current academic year is marked by the implementation of the new pedagogy in accordance with the National Acceleration Plan for the Transformation of the Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation Ecosystem 2030. In addition, several measures have been taken to enhance social support for students, including increasing accommodation offerings (+5,520 beds) and meals (15 million meals).
- Regarding the presentation by Mrs. Fatima Zahra Mansouri, Minister of National Territorial Planning, Urbanism, Housing, and City Policy, on planning and housing, as well as the draft decree No. 2.23.35 concerning the definition of forms of state support for housing and the modalities of granting it to buyers of homes intended for primary residence, these were postponed to a subsequent government meeting.
- Subsequently, the Government Council examined and approved the draft decree-law No. 2.23.781 amending Law No. 07.00 on the establishment of regional academies for education and training, presented by Mr. Chakib Benmoussa, Minister of National Education, Preschool Education, Youth, and Sports.
- The government continued its work by discussing and approving the draft decree No. 2.23.775 amending and supplementing decree No. 2.14.836 of March 4, 2016, establishing the Civic Merit Medal, presented by Mr. Mustapha Baitas, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of relations with Parliament and government spokesperson.
The Government Council concluded its work by discussing and approving proposals for appointments to high-level positions in accordance with Article 92 of the Constitution.
- At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, the following appointments were made:
- Mr. Redouane Adghoughi, as Director of European Affairs.
- Mr. Redouane Hussaini, as Director of the United Nations and International Organizations.
- At the Ministry of Justice, the following appointment was made:
- Mr. Hassan Al Qabab, as Director of the Budget.
- At the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests, the following appointment was made:
- Ms. Latifa Yaqoubi, as General Director of the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Regions and Argan Trees.
- At the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication - Culture Sector, the following appointment was made:
- Mr. Hicham Abqari, as Director of the Arts.
- At the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Inclusion, and Family, the following appointment was made:
- Mr. El Talib Boui Aba Hazem, as Director for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
