Education in Mozambique: “A Tool for Constructive Torelance”
Fr Alberto Maquia SJ
E
ducation in Mozambique has not
always had the same characteristics. In the period before independence in 1975 education was characterized by domination, alienation and Christianization. Education of the elite, for the colonizer, was designed to transmit aristocratic values and standards. For the indigenous people, the colonized, education was practically reduced to just learning to read, write. It was structured primarily to accommodate the interests of the settler, to prepare individuals to perform different social functions in society. The period from 1974 to 1975 is crucial in the history of Mozambique. It saw a great deal of transformation based on the experiences and vision of the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), to model society on the principles defended by the movement
during the armed struggle. FRELIMO
guarantee basic education to all citizens
designed education, which was
according to the country’s development
essentially political and ideological. State
through the progressive introduction of
policy became ‘education for all’ with
compulsory education. (BR. # 19, 1992,
the expansion of the school network,
p. 104).
systematization of the education, teacher
With these two laws that were the
training and continuous curriculum
preamble to the National Education
review.
System it is noticeable that both
While adapting to the socio-political,
laws of the two education systems in
economic and cultural contexts,
Mozambique aimed to give priority
post independence education was
to the formation of young people
characterized by reforms expressed in
towards patriotism and revolutionarism
these main milestones: the emergence of
while ensuring access to education
law 4/83 and law 6/92; of the National
for everyone within the parameters
Education System (SNE).
recommended by the Mozambican
Law 4/83 aimed to spread the use of the
government.
Portuguese language through teaching,
What went wrong with the method of
contributing to the consolidation
education adopted by the Mozambican
of national unity, making teaching
government after independence which
instructions revolutionary bases for
had very clear objectives, such that today
the consolidation of popular power
the system is no longer contributing to
deeply inserted in the community (BR.
the formation of citizens who are aware
# 12, 1983, p. 24). Law 6/92 aimed to
of their humanity and responsible for
Mukai - Vukani No.78 | October 2020 |
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