Significant Judicial Ruling in Favor of Educator
In a landmark decision, the Administrative Court of Fes annulled a disciplinary action taken by the Ministry of National Education, which had suspended a secondary school teacher for three months. This ruling, issued by the Administrative Court of Appeal in Fes, upheld the teacher's claims of innocence against allegations of extorting students, thereby reinstating both his professional standing and salary.
The case dates back to December 2024, when Fouad Arouadi, the director of the regional academy for education and training in the Fes-Meknes region, signed a decision to suspend the physics teacher based on an inspection report. This report accused the educator of coercing students into attending paid supplementary classes and of mandating the purchase of his authored materials. However, the court later determined that these allegations were not supported by substantial evidence or credible proof.
In its ruling, delivered in May of the previous year, the primary administrative court noted that the teacher had consistently maintained his innocence regarding the charges. He emphasized his adherence to using only the textbooks sanctioned by the Ministry of National Education. Through a response document submitted by his attorney, Ahmed Harma, the teacher clarified that the supplementary activity booklet he employed was merely a personal pedagogical tool designed to enhance the curriculum and did not generate any financial gain. He categorically denied any obligation placed upon students to buy this material or to pay for the support sessions, which were conducted within a licensed and authorized center.
Additionally, the court relied on various documents presented by the teacher, including a petition signed by parents and approximately 70 correspondences sent to the academy director praising the teacher's professional competence and ethics, while refuting all accusations against him. Conversely, the court noted the failure of the accused party, represented by the regional academy, to provide any evidence substantiating the alleged violations—be it through inquiries, complaints, or documented inspection reports. This absence of evidence rendered the accusations legally unfounded and invalidated the disciplinary action, which was deemed to lack legitimacy due to the misuse of authority and lack of sufficient grounds.
Consequently, the Administrative Court ruled in favor of the teacher, formally accepting his appeal and annulling the decision issued by the Ministry of National Education, dated January 6, 2025, which had imposed a temporary exclusion from his duties and withheld his salary for three months, excluding family compensation. This ruling was subsequently upheld by the Administrative Court of Appeal in Fes, marking it as a definitive decision.
As reported by ar.telquel.ma.
