The Government has assured that it will enhance security measures to reduce the risks of academic fraud and exam leaks in the National Education System (SNE). The information was provided on Thursday, 11 December, in Parliament by Prime Minister Benvinda Levi during the question-and-answer session.
“We will also strengthen administrative and criminal accountability for those involved in acts that penalise honest students, reward offenders, and cause high social and financial costs to the State treasury,” she assured.
According to a report by the Mozambican News Agency, on 25 November, Mozambican authorities recorded the loss of four 9th-grade exams at Najor Primary School, in Milange district, Zambézia province. The incident cost the State approximately USD 625,000.
The agency reported that the exam leaks led to the cancellation of the tests. Staff from the education sector were involved, notably two teachers responsible for supervising the exams, who shared the questions via WhatsApp.
In this regard, Benvinda Levi reiterated that the Executive is committed to making the SNE more inclusive, effective, and efficient, ensuring the acquisition of required knowledge and skills so that citizens can adequately respond to the challenges and demands of the present and future.
In May, the Minister of Education and Culture, Samaria Tovela, confirmed in the Assembly of the Republic that the budget allocation for the education sector would be reduced in 2025, from 14.2% of the 2024 State Budget to 12.1%. She clarified, however, that the reduction did not necessarily represent an absolute decrease in funds allocated to the sector.
“This is a reduction of its relative share within a global budget that, as a whole, was compressed due to macroeconomic constraints,” the minister explained, responding to a question from the parliamentary group of the party Podemos.
Nevertheless, the minister emphasised that the Government “continues to consider education a priority and is committed to ensuring that available resources are used more efficiently.” She also noted that “the current budgetary situation is heavily influenced by the post-election crisis, which caused economic slowdown and a decline in domestic revenue collection.”
Within the Government’s Five-Year Plan (2025-29), the gradual recruitment of 58,128 teachers is planned by 2029, which should reduce the current student-to-teacher ratio to 55. The minister highlighted that these measures aim to improve teaching conditions and access to quality education nationwide.
In the area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, 44,000 teachers of grades 3 and 4 were trained, in addition to 228 secondary school teachers and 392 teacher training institute trainers. Additionally, 85 technical–vocational trainers and 325 higher education lecturers were trained, and robotics clubs were created in several secondary schools.
Despite the reduction in budget allocation, the Government assures that it will continue to invest in teacher qualification and school infrastructure improvement, aiming to ensure a more inclusive, resilient education system adapted to current challenges.
