Nampula: Students of the Cidade Alta Secondary School in Nacala forced to pay for the Guard's maintenance

 

It’s really sad that this amount is required at the time of enrollment.

Students at the Cidade Alta Secondary School, in Nacala-Porto, Nampula province in northern of Mozambique are required to pay an extra fee during the school enrollment process. This amount is added to the 100 MT registration fee, which is paid in cash and not deposited into the school’s bank account.

In this context, our sources stated that 100 MT is needed, which is intended to pay the school guard during the 2025 academic year. Those who cannot pay this amount automatically lose their enrollment.

Some of our interviewees shared their experiences at the school, as they were surprised by this situation, since previously the maintenance fee was paid throughout the school year.

"I am a mother and legal guardian. I came to enroll my son, and I have been here since yesterday. Yesterday, I couldn’t enroll because I didn’t have the 100 MT required to pay for the guard. Now I’ve managed, but it’s really sad that this amount is required at the time of enrollment. In previous years, we enrolled our children and let them study," said Alima Saide.

"I am a student, and this year I will be in 11th grade. I came here to enroll, but it’s difficult. I still haven’t been attended to. The line isn’t moving, they are attending people who didn’t even join the line. About the guard fee, I wasn’t aware of it. It’s something the administration informed us about just now," said a student who wished to remain anonymous.

In an attempt to speak with the director of Cidade Alta Secondary School, Orlando Blaunde, about the issue, he stated that he was not authorized to speak and that the responsibility lay with the district education department, specifically the planning department.

The district education department, Youth and Sports, in direct contact with Alexandre Mário Nacutua, the director of education in Nacala district, stated that they could not grant the interview because they had not received any formal request for it.

It is important to note that Cidade Alta Secondary School is not the only school that charges this guard fee at the time of enrollment. This situation is also observed in other schools in the railwayport city. (Gabriel Cassimo)