The Moroccan kingdom scored 0.53 out of 1 point on the latest release of the Academic Freedom Index (AFI), compiled by Friedrich Alexander University and the Fidem Institute of the University of Gutenberg, Germany. This index evaluates the extent of academic freedom for professors and academics across more than 170 countries globally, focusing on five key indicators: freedom of research and teaching, academic exchange and publication freedom, institutional autonomy, campus integrity, and academic cultural expression.
According to the data from the AFI, Morocco achieved 2.39 points for its freedom of research and teaching, 2.56 points for academic exchange, 2.17 points for institutional autonomy, and 2.32 points for academic expression. Within the Middle East and North Africa region, Morocco holds the third position. Israel ranks first with 0.84 points and Tunisia follows even though it experienced a significant drop from 2019 to 2024, with Libya and Algeria scoring 0.30 and 0.19 points, respectively.
The report highlights how certain countries showcased improvements to their academic freedom scores over the past decade, with examples including democratic nations such as Finland and the United States, as well as Israel and Portugal. Yet it warns about the precariousness of academic freedom even within these democracies, as illustrated by various shifts over time.
The document notes, "This example demonstrates how academic freedom can be compromised within democracies, even if these freedoms are typically safeguarded more effectively compared to authoritarian regimes." Citing the trends within countries, the report states, "Academic freedom becomes endangered when political parties opposing pluralism assume power," underscoring the vulnerability of academic institutions during political transitions.
Specific cases of academic freedom decline were mentioned, particularly in regions like Argentina, Poland, and the United States, which have seen impacts where political factions have leveraged their power to stifle dissenting views within the educational sphere. Notably, Argentina saw its academic freedom score plunge from 0.97 to 0.69 within the span of less than one year, raising alarms about the alarming trend.
"Politicians opposing pluralism act upon gaining governmental power to undermine institutional autonomy and the freedom to teach, often restricting or attacking research and academic work contradictory to the government’s national political stance," the report firmly states. It emphasizes the broader implication of these shifts, making it clear how these political groups exacerbate divisions and limit the public discourse opportunity.
Overall, the data suggests there is growing concern over the stability of academic freedoms worldwide, which should serve as a wake-up call for both the international community and domestic policymakers to bolster protections for academic institutions. The AFI report drives home the message about finding and preserving balance—not just within academic contexts but also broadly across all governance dimensions.