Overview

• The regional government confirmed the Arabic language and Moroccan culture program will not run this school year, affecting about 348 students in a handful of public schools.
• Officials cited a June budget agreement between PP and Vox that instructs Murcia not to develop programs promoting Arabic language or Moroccan culture in schools.
• The initiative had operated since 2012 as a voluntary, extracurricular course financed by Spain’s Ministry of Education with teaching coordinated through Morocco’s embassy.
• The Moroccan consulate in Murcia expressed regret over the move, while regional authorities had previously praised the program’s role in family mediation and student integration.
• Murcia follows Madrid’s July withdrawal of the same program, and PP and Vox signal further pact measures next on a Santa Cruz minors’ center and possible changes to Mar Menor law.