Zambezia children forced to decide between school and hunting – Deutsche Welle

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Zambezia children forced to decide between school and hunting – Deutsche Welle

2:29 CAT | 06 Oct 2016

Children between 9 and 14 years of age in Nicoadala district, Zambezia province, have told DW Africa that they divide their time between going to school and hunting to help parents put food on the table and buy study materials.

One child told the DW Africa reporter that he has hunted rats to eat in the past. “This activity also helps us get money to buy notebooks, pencils and pens so we can go to school,” the boy said.

Carlos Cangameia, head of education in Zambezia province, confirms that there are many children who are forced to go hunting to feed themselves and their families, often at the expense of their schooling. “Some children have definitely dropped out of school,” Cangameia says. “We have had no rice in our fields here in Nicoadala this year. We have to do everything possible to survive. If not, if we stop, we will die of hunger.”

District Director of Education Thomas Salchene says that the authorities are trying to resolve the situation. “We are doing supervision in schools to address the situation, but you must also know that there is lack of teachers. We are helping teachers intensify the learning process.”

Maria Stela Pinto, representative of the education program in the organization “Right to Play” in Zambezia, says that more must be done.

“It is worrying, and not just in Nicoadala. The hunger situation for children this year is being felt throughout the province of Zambezia. The government authorities must find solutions, together with community leaders, parents and guardians and the students themselves. Going to school is a child’s right, so the child can not be prevented from attending classes because of lack of food.”

Source: Deutsche Welle