AI Cheating Fears Push Morocco to Launch Smart Exam Monitoring
Morocco has introduced a new digital tracking system for its 2026 baccalaureate examinations in a move aimed at strengthening transparency, fairness and children’s right to quality education.
The Ministry of National Education announced that each candidate will receive a unique identification code and QR code to track examination papers throughout the marking process. Authorities say the system will help reduce administrative errors and improve monitoring during the nationwide exams.
The initiative comes as more than 520,000 students prepare to sit for the examinations scheduled for June.
Education advocates say the decision reflects growing efforts to protect students’ right to fair assessment and equal learning opportunities. They argue that examination malpractice and administrative failures can undermine children’s educational development and weaken trust in national education systems.
Morocco has also introduced stricter anti-cheating measures, including the deployment of 2,000 electronic detection devices across examination centres to identify active mobile phones during exams.
Officials say the measures became necessary due to increasing use of smartphones, hidden earpieces and artificial intelligence tools for examination fraud.
Child rights and education experts note that a credible examination system is essential to protecting children’s future opportunities. According to them, students perform better in environments where merit, fairness and accountability are guaranteed.
They also stress that governments have a responsibility to create safe and transparent learning systems that support academic growth without discrimination or unfair advantage.
The ministry said about 150,000 teachers and staff members will supervise the examinations across more than 2,000 schools and 26,000 classrooms nationwide.
Observers believe Morocco’s digital approach could encourage other countries to strengthen examination integrity while protecting children’s right to proper educational development.
