Sand encroachment threatens Foum El Oued school group in Laâyoune province as the new school year begins

An exceptional start to the school year at Foum El Oued school group

As the current school year begins, local observers in the Laâyoune province have been taken aback by a concerning educational and environmental situation at the Foum El Oued school group. According to reports from the site, sand dunes have noticeably encroached upon the perimeter of the educational institution, covering large areas of its courtyards and external walkways, creating an unusual scene for the first days of students returning to their classrooms.

Images document the sand engulfing the facility’s premises

In the same context, widely circulated images have shown massive accumulations of sand along the walls of the educational institution and its main entrances. This sand has not been limited to the boundary walls but has reached the level of doors and windows of several classrooms, in addition to burying large sections of the schoolyard and the pathways leading to the classrooms, thus obstructing movement within the school space.

Calls for urgent intervention to protect educational conditions

In light of this situation, the debate has resurfaced regarding the need to schedule regular field interventions to remove accumulated sand and clean the surroundings of educational institutions in desert regions. This potential intervention aims to ensure suitable and safe learning conditions for students, as well as to provide an appropriate working environment for educational and administrative staff throughout the school year, in order to preserve the aesthetics of the school space and the safety of its users.