African Mobile Students' Experiences With Distance Learning in Morocco

Abstract

The article aims to analyze the perceptions of sub-Saharan students in Morocco towards distance learning platforms that were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. To gather students' opinions, a survey was conducted to assess their access, limitations, usage and quality of the platforms provided by the Moroccan higher education system. The COVID-19 pandemic and its related measures resulted in several difficulties, mainly regarding travel restrictions, course attendance, funding issues, and complicated administrative procedures. The results of the survey indicate that 53% of the students in the sample faced challenges during the crisis. Among these difficulties, 31% of the students were unable to attend distance learning courses due to various reasons. 64% of the students had difficulty accessing logistical resources, while 29% did not have access to the internet. Inequalities in access are prevalent, with doctoral students facing the most obstacles at 84%, followed by women at 65%, and students in private higher education institutions at 66.7%.