BCI hosts debate on the challenges of inclusive education in the country

The BCI Auditorium in Maputo recently hosted a public debate on the Challenges of Inclusive, Fair and Quality Education in Mozambique. The event brought together representatives of the Forum of Mozambican Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FAMOD), educators, inclusion experts, as well as higher education institutions, United Nations bodies and members of the public, private and civil society sectors.

Held as part of Children's Day celebrations, the debate focused on the future that Mozambique wants to build for children, particularly those who face barriers to accessing education. The aim was to discuss concrete strategies to ensure an increasingly inclusive education, ensuring that no child is left behind.

The debate was structured into two thematic panels. The first, entitled “Challenges of Inclusive Education in Mozambique”, discussed the lack of adequate infrastructure, such as adapted classes and schools, in various regions of the country. The second panel, “Teacher Training at INFP: Sign Language Curriculum”, discussed the urgent need to train educators, especially given the lack of inclusive teaching materials. Both moments highlighted the importance of effective public policies to overcome the identified gaps.

In his speech, Zeca Chaúque, President of FAMOD, emphasized: “inclusion cannot be just an ideal to be strived for, but a current practice, which is reflected daily in the school environment, in the personal development and in the full citizenship of these children”. Chaúque also highlighted teacher training as one of the central challenges: “training teachers, especially for teaching through a curriculum that includes Sign Language, is imperative to transform the current panorama of inclusive classes”, he stressed.

Representing BCI, José Gamito, Central Director of the Sustainability Department, highlighted the bank's ongoing commitment to educational development: “BCI reaffirms and reinforces its commitment to supporting the education sector, collaborating in the discussion and analysis of solutions that

“We hope that the educational institutions can improve teaching conditions, with a focus on special education,” he said. Gamito also highlighted the recent donation of furniture and computer equipment to the Association for the Disabled, an initiative aimed at improving the working conditions of the association’s members. “The joy and enthusiasm shown by teachers, students and staff at the time of delivery motivates us to continue on this path, supporting sectors that are vital for the development of any mission,” he concluded.

The Public Debate marked another step in the mobilization of joint efforts between civil society, the private sector and public institutions, towards an increasingly inclusive and transformative education.

“We hope that the educational institutions can improve teaching conditions, with a focus on special education,” he said. Gamito also highlighted the recent donation of furniture and computer equipment to the Association for the Disabled, an initiative aimed at improving the working conditions of the association’s members. “The joy and enthusiasm shown by teachers, students and staff at the time of delivery motivates us to continue on this path, supporting sectors that are vital for the development of any mission,” he concluded.

The Public Debate marked another step in the mobilization of joint efforts between civil society, the private sector and public institutions, towards an increasingly inclusive and transformative education.