Mozambique: Three thousand students begin open-air school year in Gaza province

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Mozambique: Three thousand students begin open-air school year in Gaza province

1:38 CAT | 06 Feb 2025

Photo: O País

More than 3,000 students at the 7 de Outubro Elementary School in Xai-Xai, Gaza province began classes sitting on the floor in the open, following delays in renovation works there. Parents and guardians are demanding the immediate completion of the works, while the school management refers the responsibilities to the supervising ministry.

Studying in a classroom, at a desk, is the dream of Jennifer Manuel, a 7th Grade student at the 7 de Outubro Elementary School in Xai-Xai. In the meantime, she and her classmates are being taught in the so-called “shade rooms”.

Wearing capulanas against the dirt earth, the students attend classes sitting on the floor for more than four hours. The result, they say, is a loss of concentration due to joint pain. In addition to the compromised teaching and learning process, the health of the students is also at stake.

If it is difficult for the students to maintain concentration, the demands on the teachers are even greater. Maria Mucache, a teacher for 40 years, says that the current conditions of the school limit the noble mission of teaching and training the people of tomorrow with quality.

Maria Mucache is seconded by teacher Elias Matias who laments the poor conditions, as well as the dearth of teaching materials.

At the 7 de Outubro Elementary School, 36 classes still study in the open air. The classrooms have been undergoing renovation since March of last year. Work should have been completed in July of the same year, but this did not happen, and December is now the deadline.

School director David Chivite laments the situation, but says his hands are tied.

The Eduardo Mondlane primary school, the Xai-Xai secondary school and the Coca Missava school saw a low turnout of students and teachers on Tuesday. In Gaza province overall, more than 200 classes will take place in the open due to a lack of classrooms.

Source: O País