Morocco launches electronic clampdown on cheating students

The Moroccan Ministry of Education has issued a communiqué to outline plans to strictly prohibit mobile phones and other electronic devices in examination centers.

According to the Ministry’s communiqué, specialized inspectors equipped with electronic equipment will visit schools and examination centers to monitor students.

The decision is aimed to combat cheating during exams with the ministry warning that any student engaging in cheating by using a mobile phone or any other electronic device will be banned from completing exams for a period of up to a year.

After the completion of the suspension period, the student involved would have to appear before a committee who will then decide on an outcome for the case.

As part of the new regulation, the possession of any electronic device inside a school or exam hall will constitute cheating.

Ministry sources have also said that training sessions have been organized to sensitize students to the issue and to raise awareness among student of the seriousness of academic cheating.

The culmination of the baccalaureate system is a period of national exams that will be held June 9-11 as well as re-examinations which take place July 7-9, 2015.