Mozambique’s Education Minister Samaria Tovela announced plans for local printing of school textbooks to improve distribution and accuracy. This initiative responds to past issues and aims to reduce reliance on foreign companies. 87 percent of current textbooks have been distributed despite challenges from Cyclone Jude.
The Mozambican Education Minister, Samaria Tovela, has announced negotiations with local companies to print school textbooks domestically for the public education system. The initiative aims to address issues related to errors in previously distributed textbooks, attributed to poor oversight in recruitment for authors and coordinators.
The Mozambican Association of Printing Industries (AIGM) has encouraged the government to prioritize local printing firms for public tenders. However, financing agencies often favor international tenders, resulting in non-Mozambican companies securing contracts despite local capacity to produce textbooks.
Minister Tovela emphasized the necessity of having textbooks printed in Mozambique for the 2026 school year, stating that some books would be available this year. Efforts are underway to ensure that the costs remain manageable for the state.
Regarding current distributions, Tovela acknowledged that 87 percent of textbooks have been distributed, with plans to complete distribution by the end of March. Nevertheless, challenges posed by Cyclone Jude, which affected access to some districts, have complicated the distribution process.
The Mozambican government is making strides to establish domestic printing of school textbooks, addressing previous challenges related to errors and distribution delays. The initiative, led by Minister Samaria Tovela, underscores the importance of building local capacity and ensuring cost-effective solutions for the education sector. Despite current distribution hurdles due to natural disasters, the government remains committed to improving the educational landscape.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
