Reopening of schools in Mozambique: “There will be no second phase if the first phase shows that there are no conditions” – Watch

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Reopening of schools in Mozambique: “There will be no second phase if the first phase shows that there are no conditions” – Watch

2:19 CAT | 30 Jun 2020

Gina Guibunda, spokesperson to the Ministry of Education of Mozambique. [Photo: Miramar]

The Mozambican government has extended the state of emergency for the third time while announcing the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes in primary and higher education, but some parents and guardians in the country’s capital view the announcement with trepidation.

The state of emergency decreed on the 1st of April closed educational institutions, among other establishments. After three months, the government has decided to extend the state of emergency once again.

In the younger age groups, fear and uncertainty about returning to school reigns. Parents with children at the Nkomane Complete Primary School in Matola list a number of things that persuade them against the measure.

This lady, who prefers not to identify herself, is of the same opinion.

Meanwhile, Dona Deolinda, whose daughter studies in the school shown in the video report below, does not appreciate the resumption of classes in a school which used to have 80 to 90 pupils in a confined space.

Samira Saíde is one of these students, and says she was forced to go home so as to enjoy satisfactory hygiene conditions.

School managers are not unaware of the challenges, especially the requirement to have no more than 20 students in a classroom.

Meanwhile, a psychologist working at a children’s centre has no doubt that it is necessary to look at the real conditions of the schools.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Education and Human Development explains that the first phase of the resumption of classes will be decisive for the subsequent phases. She says that there are still some adjustments to be made, and that no date has yet been set for the resumption of classes.

Eduardo Mondlane University says that all conditions are in place for the resumption of classes. Bonga Júnior is among the university’s approximately 40,000 students. There is no doubt in his mind that the resumption of classes in higher education is welcome.

Translation of the statements to Miramar TV by Ministry of Education spokesperson Gina Guibunda, speaking on Monday (June 29)in the video report below.

“Depending on the results of the students of the first phase – who are the Grade 12 students … They [first phase results] will be decisive [to decide] whether the second phase will advance or not. The second phase will cover the Grade students and then there will also be the Grade 7 (phase).

“So they [phases] are all interconnected … There will be no second phase if the first phase shows that there are no conditions.

“We don’t have a date yet. It is not yet closed in terms of dates. We have been carrying out this work throughout all this time, we have continued to carry out this work and, due to yesterday’s announcement [by the President of the Republic] there are still some small adjustments that we are making and soon we will announce.”