On Tuesday (3), the government acknowledged that several schools in the country will not be able to reopen on time for the start of the school year, scheduled for the last week of February. The situation is the result of damage caused by severe flooding that affected several regions, particularly in the provinces of Maputo, Gaza, and some districts of Sofala.
The Minister of Education and Culture, Samira Tovela, explained that of the 98 reception centers currently active throughout the country, about 80 operate in school facilities, which directly compromises the effective start of classes. More than 700 schools remain in difficult conditions, a situation that affects not only students but also teachers and others involved in the teaching-learning process.
“We are mobilizing resources at the government level and, specifically, for the education sector, with a view to moving forward with rehabilitation interventions, ensuring a safer environment for teaching,” said Tovela. As an immediate response, the adjustment of school schedules is being considered, allowing students to take turns until minimum operating conditions are restored.
The minister also stressed that priority will be given to primary education. “We will have to adjust and create reasonable schedules that allow children to be in classrooms, as it is not feasible to keep them studying outdoors or in precarious conditions,” she said.
However, the impacts of the floods extend beyond the education sector. According to the Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe, around 5,200 kilometers of roads have been destroyed, requiring $3.5 billion in funding to repair national roads, including National Road Number One (N1). “That is the amount we are looking for in the market because, at the moment, we do not have it available,” he said.
The situation remains critical in several areas, despite the reduction in water levels in some river basins. The Ministry of Public Works, Housing, and Water Resources has warned that, despite the gradual decrease in flooding in districts such as Xai-Xai and Guijá, the rainy season is still ongoing, and the return of populations to risk areas is still not recommended.
In response to the emergency, the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD) has received support from national and international partners. According to the institution’s president, Luísa Meque, donations have made it possible to assist displaced families, although it is not possible to predict whether they will be sufficient in the long term.
“We have been able to respond to needs, but the extent of this capacity will depend on how long people remain in the reception centers,” she said.
The statements were made in Maputo, on the sidelines of the National Heroes’ Day celebrations, an occasion marked by reflections on the most pressing challenges facing the country.
