According to the president of Assoneepa, Masingani Lutonadio, the 2023-2024 academic year in Angola, whose classes begin this Monday, has been marked by a shortage of places, from primary education to secondary education, with reports of " sales" to secure a place at the school across the country.
Speaking to Lusa, the person responsible noted that teaching and non-teaching workers have been identified as promoters of this practice, having defended the importance of making "concrete complaints" for consequent accountability.
"We really know about situations that occur in schools and we have to fight to combat corruption. We don't point the finger at anyone, but this phenomenon starts in primary education, with places being sold for between 30,000 kwanzas and 50,000 kwanzas. People say, but we really need proof", he said.
The president of Assoneepa said there is also a sale of school places in secondary education, "where exorbitant amounts of up to 150,000 kwanzas/place are charged, even carried out by internal people".
"That's why we need to combat these practices that are also corruption. We will continue to work on raising awareness among teaching and non-teaching workers, who are seen as the main perpetrators of these acts", he declared.
Regarding the official start of classes, Masingani Lutonadio said that the expectations of parents and guardians are that their students have a "quality education".
"With adequate infrastructure, school supplies, teachers also with quality teaching, with working conditions for them, including their remuneration so that they are motivated", he stressed.
The association leader also praised the construction of new schools in several provinces of Angola, defending, however, that they are equipped with conditions such as running water and energy.
"We have situations where many schools do not have running water, which makes life difficult for students and beyond", concluded the president of Assoneepa.
The academic year officially opened last Friday and continues until July 31, 2024, divided into three periods, with seven days dedicated to assessments, two breaks between quarters, 15 days of interruption at Christmas and three days at Easter.
Around eight million students will attend schools, including more than a million children entering the general education system for the first time.
In total, 13 thousand schools will be in operation, with an additional 353 new educational establishments registered compared to last year.
In Angola, education is compulsory and free until the 9th year, but several factors prevent many children from accessing the education system, including the lack of schools.
Luanda alone has one million and five hundred thousand children outside the education system due to the lack of school infrastructure, according to the governor, Manuel Homem.
