Inhambane students without books since the beginning of the school year

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Inhambane students without books since the beginning of the school year

8:52 CAT | 06 Mar 2018

DW / Students have to copy the contents of colleagues' books

The Ministry of Education has not yet delivered all the text books required for this year, the provincial education directorate in Inhambane, southern Mozambique, has revealed. The materials that have been delivered are being shared by the students.

The Inhambane provincial education director in southern Mozambique declined to reveal the exact number of students who have not received all their books but, according to figures in the Mozambican press, there is a shortfall of at least 230,000 books in the region’s schools.

The lack of teaching materials means that many schools are not complying with the curriculum recommendations laid out in the school year programme. Worst affected are third to seventh grade classes.

Mosambik Mangel an Schulbüchern — Maxixe student Lola Adriano

Students in the city of Maxixe told DW Africa that they have no alternatives. “In class, the teacher dictates notes and has us copy the drawings, among other things,” student Lola Adriano relates.

Lucas Daniel, director of the Maxixe Comprehensive Elementary School, said the facility received few books this year, and students were sharing the materials in the classroom.

“I am referring to the 6th and 7th grade, where we are lacking textbook for crafts, visual education, moral and physical education, Portuguese and mathematics. We receive quantities that do not reflect the reality of the school,” Daniel says.

Books are sold in the informal market

Many parents and caregivers have purchased school books in the informal market at inflated prices. But some, like Cardina Rafael, a parent in Inhambane, cannot afford this and condemn the situation.

“My son only received the Portuguese book, but lacks the natural sciences and mathematics books,” Rafael says. “So for him to learn is difficult. We would like the books to come, please, because that would help,” he says.

Image result for Moçambique: Alunos de Inhambane sem livros desde o início do ano letivo

“Reduced quantities”

Spokesperson for the provincial education and human development directorate in Inhambane Benabo Fakir confirms that there are insufficient books, noting that he did not receive all the materials from the ministry, though without revealing exactly how many schools have not yet received books.

“There is a lack of titles in the schools, because we did not receive the full quota; rather we received a replacement fee. As to the number of schools, I do not think that many schools have not yet received any books, but rather, the books has reached all schools, but maybe not in the numbers required.”

Source: Deutsche Welle