DR ‹ › François Cuilhé, head of the Rabat-Kénitra division of schools under the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE), has confirmed a 7% increase in tuition fees for the upcoming academic year. In a letter addressed to parents on Wednesday, he referred to a necessary «financial effort» to support the cost-optimization measures implemented by the institution. «We have examined all possible organizational improvements to achieve savings without ever compromising the quality of education or safety», Cuilhé wrote, emphasizing that these efforts were made to avoid steeper tuition hikes. «I am aware that this increase is significant, but it must be viewed in the context of the actual rising cost of education, as reflected in the fees of other international schools. This cost remains partially covered by the French authorities, who absorb about one-third (approximately €1,800 per year per student», he added. Cuilhé also said he was sharing «initial elements that may address several concerns and requests raised» by families. He explained that the division's upcoming budget «must allow for a new distribution of financial responsibilities between the substantial French public subsidy, which remains significant and is not being questioned, and families, in order to maintain the conditions necessary for quality education, as committed to by French National Education». He further stressed that «this increase is unrelated to the Saint-Exupéry collège real estate project», estimated at €18.5 million. According to him, the project is being financed through the division's reserve funds and a €7 million contribution from the AEFE. He added that it «will be the subject of a progress update» with parent representatives «very soon», followed by regular communication as work advances. Regarding requests for greater multi-year visibility, Cuilhé indicated that a three-year financial roadmap will be presented next April, along with «ongoing dialogue» with families on educational matters. It is worth noting that in Morocco's regional hubs of institutions operating under AEFE, the planned introduction of additional annual fees for Directly Managed Schools (EGD) will no longer go ahead. Contacted by Yabiladi on Monday, sources at the French embassy in Rabat responsible for educational affairs confirmed that, as part of the AEFE reform, «this measure was part of the initial consultation process, but it has now been decided to abandon it in all hubs» across Morocco, «not just in Casablanca or Rabat-Kenitra». The proposed fees would have resulted in a significant increase in tuition costs for families. First raised during the AEFE board meeting in December 2025, the measure will ultimately not apply to EGD schools in Morocco. However, another reform measure remains in place: the gradual transfer of part of the costs of seconded personnel to the schools.
