36,000 Mozambican pupils forced out of school due to 'security reasons'

Mozambican Minister of Education Jorge Ferrao (Image from Internet)

Maputo (IINA) – More than 36,000 pupils have been forced to interrupt their studies because of armed attacks by gunmen of the rebel movement Renamo in central Mozambique, Mozambique News Agency (AIM) reported.
Independent television station STV cited a survey, carried out by the Ministry of Education and Human Development, which found that 97 schools have stopped functioning in Sofala, Manica, Tete and Zambezia provinces due to the clashes between Renamo and the defense and security forces.
The data were collected by the provincial education directorates at the request of the ministry, after schools located in the conflict zones failed to present information on the number of pupils enrolled this year.
“We are continuing to work with all the directorates, and we are checking the schools which, for reasons of security, have had to close,” Education Minister Jorge Ferrao said, adding: “We don’t want to put the lives of any pupils or teachers at risk". He admitted that continuing military tensions could compromise the entire 2016 school year for these children.
“The problem is that they are losing the opportunity this year, and they may not have an opportunity in the future, he said.
The only definitive solution, the minister said, was to establish conditions of security throughout the areas currently affected by Renamo attacks.
AB/IINA

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