Moroccan police disperse protesting teachers with water cannons

Several thousand young teachers calling for permanent work contracts had marched peacefully through the streets of central Rabat chanting slogans such as "freedom, dignity, social justice".

As night fell, demonstrators held aloft candles and used their mobile phones as torches, before setting up a makeshift camp in front of parliament.

Police moved in to break up the gathering after the protestors refused to leave following more than two hours of negotiations, according to an AFP journalist.

The teachers on temporary contracts, who have been on strike since March 3, enjoy the same salaries as their permanent colleagues - 5,000 dirhams ($520) a month.

But they complain they do not enjoy the same rights, especially over retirement.

Similar scenes were witnessed in February when Moroccan police fired water cannons at protesting teachers, with reports suggesting protesters were beaten with truncheons during demonstrations around the capital.

Several demonstrations were held in February exactly eight years after thousands took to the streets in a series of protests inspired by the Arab Spring. 

Teachers' unions held a protest outside the Education Ministry in Rabat and then tried to walk up an alley toward the nearby royal palace, prompting a crackdown.

Police officers charged protesters, beating several to the ground. Associated Press reporters at the time saw multiple injuries as ambulances and police cars were called to the neighbourhood.

The protesters, many wearing white teachers' robes, gathered from around Morocco to seek salary raises and promotions, while protesting the limited opportunities for low-ranking teachers who earn an average of 350 pounds (400 euros) a month.

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