Ismaili Imamat donates 20,000 school desks to public schools in Mozambique

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Ismaili Imamat donates 20,000 school desks to public schools in Mozambique

3:30 CAT | 12 Dec 2022

The Representative of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique, Minister of Culture and Tourism , Eldevina Materula, expressing gratitude for the donation of 20,000 school desks for public schools, together with the representative of the Aga Khan Network for Development Mr. Nazim Ahmad, during the reception ceremony on the occasion of the Day of the Imamat of His Highness the Aga Khan and the centenary of the Hotel Polana (1922-2022). [Photo: Aga Khan Development Network]

Diplomatic representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Nazim Ahmad, announced during the reception held on the occasion of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Imamat Day and the centenary of the Polana Hotel, the donation of 20,000 school desks for the use of pupils in Mozambican public secondary education.

This donation forms part of the long cooperation relationship in various areas between the Ismaili Imamat and the Government of Mozambique, with the aim of addressing needs identified by the country’s authorities.

In close coordination with the Ministry of Education and Human Development, the 20,000 school desks will be distributed across all provinces in Mozambique, mostly in provinces in the north of the country.

The Professional Development Centre of the Aga Khan Academy was established in Mozambique 12 years ago, with the dual objective of helping increase the quality of the public education system and training national human resources to teach the international baccalaureate.

This Professional Development Centre is responsible for high quality teacher training and currently cooperates with 23 public primary schools in the districts of Matola and Boane. The programs on offer have directly benefited more than 1,300 education professionals, including managers, directors and teachers, reaching more than 1,800 teachers and 135,000 students.

Regarding the Aga Khan Academy, 243 of its 390 students are Mozambicans (62%) and of a total of 200 students who receive financial support, 142 are also nationals (71%). In the coming years, the total number of students should reach 750, of which 300 will attend the Academy on a residential basis.

In March 2022, on the occasion of the visit of Prince Rahim Aga Khan to Mozambique for the inauguration of the Aga Khan Academy in the city of Matola, Maputo province, the Government of the Republic of Mozambique identified the aspect of school equipment as a priority to leverage the quality of public education.

The Ismaili Imamat responded with this contribution, and institutional efforts are now underway between the Ismaili Imamat, the Presidency of the Republic and the Government of the Republic of Mozambique so that it is materialized in the shortest possible time, in a sustainable way and in order to serve schools in the provinces and districts where the need is most felt.

During the reception on the occasion of the Day of the Imamat of His Highness the Aga Khan and the centenary of the Hotel Polana, the Official Representative of the Government of Mozambique, Minister of Culture and Tourism Eldevina Materula, said that, “education is, without a doubt, one of the pillars for the development of any society, and Mozambique is no exception. We reiterate our deep gratitude and recognition for these 20,000 [school] desks, which will benefit our country”.

The Ismaili Imamat has a 1,390 year history with 48 successive leaders. Its philosophy is marked by universal principles and values that include access to excellent education and intellectual sharing of knowledge in different areas.

Source: Aga Khan Development Network / Media Release