Mozambique’s Education Ministry to Print Textbooks Locally

Mozambican Education Minister Samaria Tovela announced plans for domestic printing of school textbooks to improve public education. Past issues with textbook errors and distribution have prompted this initiative aimed at supporting local companies. While 87 percent of books for the current year have been distributed, Cyclone Jude poses challenges to further distribution.

Mozambican Education Minister Samaria Tovela announced the government’s initiative to negotiate with local companies for the domestic printing of school textbooks intended for public education. This decision aims to address ongoing issues within the education system, which have stemmed from prior mismanagement and errors in textbooks, including inaccuracies in Geography, Mathematics, and History published in 2022.

The Mozambican Association of Printing Industries (AIGM) has urged the government to prioritize local printing firms through favorable public tenders, rather than relying on foreign companies, primarily from Portugal. Despite the capability of Mozambican companies to print these educational materials, financing agencies continue to favor international tenders, which are typically awarded to non-Mozambican firms.

During a press conference in Maputo, Minister Tovela emphasized that domestic printing of textbooks would commence this year, targeting readiness for the 2026 school year. “We are discussing with the national companies in order to have a cost that our state can bear. That’s the point,” she remarked. The minister underscored the intention to gradually develop local capacity for textbook printing due to the substantial demand.

Currently, Tovela revealed that 87 percent of the textbooks for the ongoing school year have already been distributed, with plans to complete distribution by the end of March. However, challenges arise due to Cyclone Jude, which has disrupted access to several districts. “We are trying to see how we, in coordination with the transport companies, can effectively finish the distribution,” she stated.

In summary, the Mozambican government is taking significant steps to enhance its education system by fostering domestic textbook printing. This initiative aims to resolve previous distribution issues while empowering local industries. Minister Samaria Tovela’s commitment ensures that essential materials will be available for future academic years, despite the immediate challenges posed by recent climatic events.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com