Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the protection of children’s rights and their education.
According to Chapo, who was speaking in Maputo, during an audience he granted to a delegation from the Mozambican Children’s Organization (Organização Continuadores de Moçambique-OCM), which is affiliated to the ruling Frelimo Party, the State’s mission is to improve the justice system in order to safeguard the rights of minors.
During the audience, which is part of the start of the 2026 school year and the beginning of the new judicial year, Chapo said that these children “symbolically represent Mozambican childhood throughout the national territory.”
According to Chapo, protecting children requires a joint effort from society as many children live in vulnerable situations, including orphans and others who lack support.
“It is up to adults to ensure that the rights of these minors are respected, since they represent the future of Mozambique. The actions carried out by the government reflect the need to guarantee safe conditions for the development of new generations”, he said.
The President also explained that the postponement of the start of classes is related to the recent floods that hit the country, especially the southern and central regions.
“What led us to extend the children’s holidays were the floods. We all saw it on television. Many schools temporarily served as accommodation centres for affected families, hindering the immediate return to school activities. There are still many children in the accommodation centres”, he said.
“Now that classes have started, let’s all study, so that tomorrow we can be adults who will serve the country”, he added.
The Organização Continuadores de Moçambique, for its part, praised the government’s efforts to ensure the start of the school year, highlighting the inauguration of the country’s largest primary school in Dondo district, in the central province of Sofala.
The children also reiterated their commitment to dedicating themselves to their studies, “growing with patriotic values, knowing their rights and duties, and defending the importance of family, solidarity, and environmental preservation.”