Political Science professor Mohamed Sassi from Mohammed V University and a leader of the Unified Socialist Party recently discussed the complex issues surrounding the teaching of law in Morocco. His enlightening talk took place at the Souissi Law School in Rabat as part of the seminar series, “Faculties of Law in Morocco: A Horizon for Thought.”
Sassi launched his talk by probing a central predicament: the struggle of instilling law in a society that does not fully uphold the rule of law. He expressed his concern about the tendency of the current system to prioritize precedents over the text of laws and highlighted that public servants often rely more on instructions than the law itself.
Further, Sassi criticized the diminishing practical applicability of legal education in the country. According to him, students grapple with understanding the legal concepts taught in class and face difficulties integrating them into their daily lives.
Language and communication also emerged as critical issues during Sassi’s discourse. The professor noted a progressively widening gap between students and their educators, stemming from students’ struggles with the dense legal language. Moreover, a noticeable decline in students’ language, writing, and expressive skills has aggravated this communication disconnect.
The interface between secular law and Sharia law also featured prominently in Sassi’s presentation. He spoke about students’ misperceptions surrounding the separation of man-made and divine laws, which they view as a challenge to their religion and identity. In this perception, students often merge law and Sharia, viewing them as inseparable, and they place a law school in the same category as a college of Sharia, with a preference for the latter.
Nevertheless, despite the hurdles, Sassi remains optimistic about the future of law education in Morocco. He believes that by identifying and addressing these issues, the country can reform its law education system. Such changes, he hopes, will enhance the practical value of law studies, bridge the communication gap between educators and students, and provide a clearer understanding of the intersection between secular law and Sharia.
