​More than 41 pupils and 475 teachers left school in Cabo Delgado province last year due to terrorism, the spokesman for the Ministry of Education and Human Development revealed today.

"In 2023, we had just over 41,000 pupils, including more than 20,000 girls, who had to move from their areas to other areas in order to have the opportunity to continue their studies in other districts," said Manuel Simbine.

Speaking in an interview with Radio MozambiqueHe also highlighted the flight of 475 teachers and the destruction of schools.

"But we already have records of 107 schools and 387 classrooms being rebuilt. We also had administrative blocks hit. Five district offices were destroyed, but they are already in the process of being rebuilt," he said, noting that the figures may vary depending on what happens.

The MINEDH spokesperson assured that Cabo Delgado province is preparing at the same level as the country's other provinces for the 2024 school year.

"There are conditions for the learning process to take place in peace. We're going to have this opportunity to reopen these 82 schools to further expand the teaching and learning process and benefit more students," he said.

Cabo Delgado province has a total of 1,600 schools, and in the 2024 school year it will operate with 896 schools. Last year it had 816 schools. This year another 82 schools will reopen, especially in the districts of Palma, Mocímboa da Praia, Quissanga, Muidumbe, Nangade, Mueda and Meluco, to serve more than 23,000 students. Of these schools that will reopen, only one will teach secondary education, he said.

Cabo Delgado province is home to large investments in the extractive industry, especially in the gas sector. Since October 2017 it has been affected by terrorism, which has claimed thousands of victims.