Education
Education is a complex area that may be difficult to measure in terms of its success or failure. But when looking at it in simple ways, we can see there is a crisis.
Technological and Vocational Education Training (TVET) helps young people gain relevant technical and vocational skills essential for participation in local economic production in Mozambique.
Years in school are one of the indicators used when measuring the Human Development Index. Most children in Guinea Bissau go to school for 3.7 years. In Mozambique, it is 3.9 years, Malawi and Angola its 5.2 and 5.8 years respectively. India, with its more than 1.4 billion people, offers 6.6 years of school for this vast population living in a highly complex society. Just think of it. We are talking about future generations who will have to shoulder the challenges of the world we leave for them, with its increase in climate disasters, wars and inequalities. These numbers point to a fundamental challenge: Education is needed, along with all that goes by it, such as school buildings, furniture, books, and other teaching materials. Teachers are needed in their millions. Funding is needed. Technological devices will not do the trick. During the COVID-19 pandemic, two decades of progress were erased, and learning declined worldwide to the extent that it will take 22 years for a 4th grader to recover to a pre-pandemic level of reading—that is, in the wealthy parts of the world1. In the countries mentioned above, it has not even been measured, but we can imagine the figures. Just think of it. We are talking about future generations who will have to shoulder the challenges of the world we leave for them. Yes, this sentence is a repetition, but it is a necessary one.
1. UNDP Human Development Report 2023-24 P.34
SDG 4.7 embraces the social, humanistic and moral purposes of an education that promotes human rights, gender equality, peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and cultural diversity and culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024
What we do
Humana People to People’s response is to continue to train teachers for pre- and primary school, to organise graduated teachers from the 56 teacher training programmes and to run education programmes that bring children back to school and back to learning when they have been excluded. We continue to train youth for useful vocations and develop their skills for taking up a meaningful and productive place in society. We continue to include literacy campaigns for adults wherever we can, and we organise community preschools.
We train teachers because they are central to children’s lives within the school. Their role extends beyond teaching languages and science; they guide students through the complexities of learning – and life. They create an environment where students can safely engage in discussions, learn to work together and receive feedback. Students of all ages learn to understand empathy, cultural awareness, and reasoning.
We offer primary school teachers who graduated from the colleges the opportunity to participate in a Graduated Teachers’ Network that supports the individual teacher.
In 14 vocational training centres, students learn vocational skills and add a broader view of life and the world to become better equipped to form their future.
Student teachers are deeply committed to their work and research, demonstrating passion and dedication to Malawi.
The Headmaster
“Addressing the community’s challenges is not just a goal; it’s a necessity that requires our full commitment and energy.”
I grew up in a large family and faced financial struggles that interrupted my education. My background didn’t stop my passion for teaching; I pursued my dream to become a teacher with determination and willpower. I worked to fund my tuition while supporting my family. Now a principal, I strive to inspire my students, especially the young girls. They will drive change for future generations.
ADPP Mozambique’s teacher training began after the 1992 Peace Agreement. The country urgently needed schools and dedicated teachers after a devastating 16-year war. The war left many children without access to school, and there were limited resources to train qualified teachers.
As principal, I always encourage students to form strong cooperation bonds, use local resources to enhance teaching and boost children’s engagement. Our teachers incorporate learning through play to help children understand concepts more easily. They become effective teachers and community activists, linking education with community development.
Conceição da Gloria Sozinho, ADPP Teacher Training College, Chimoio, Mozambique
The ADPP Teacher Training College, Chimoio
The ADPP Teacher Training College in Chimoio was inaugurated in 1997. Its mission is to train passionate and dynamic primary school teachers who advocate for innovative teaching and learning. These teachers are trained to lead transformative community development initiatives where they serve.
The college offers a three-year teacher training programme focusing on effective teaching methods and community development. It combines academic studies with practical experiences in local primary schools and enriching study trips to explore the diverse society they will serve.
The Teacher Training College prioritises the students’ independence, integrity and cooperation in the learning process. They use these experiences, sharing them with their learners in school, and they involve parents and colleagues, making the school a true centre in the community.
After graduation, teachers can join the Graduated Teachers Network to collaborate and share experiences to better respond to the many daily challenges in their work. They focus on teaching quality and promote campaigns on health, culture, gender, sports, and environmental protection. The College supports Mozambique’s mission to improve primary education for all children.
Since the inception of the school, over
1,800
teachers have graduated.
The Graduate
“It requires willpower, fearlessness, and determination to break the barriers in taking traditionally male-dominated jobs.”
My name is Fatuma Fati, and I am from Guinea-Bissau. I have been an electrician at Pro-solia since 2019. Five years ago, I completed my electricity course at ADPP Vocational School, becoming a leading woman electrician in this role. I specialise insolar panel maintenance and take on tasks many male colleagues avoid.
Inspired by my sister, I applied for the programme in electricity and solar course, and now my younger sister studies electricity at the Vocational School Bissora.
I have established a group for women dedicated to uplifting one another and breaking through barriers in fields traditionally dominated by men, showing that no profession is off-limits to us. As we support each other, we can achieve remarkable heights and create transformative change in the world. As women, we can redefine boundaries and inspire future generations.
Fatuma Fati, Electrician trained at ADPP Vocational School in Bissorã, Guinea Bissau
ADPP Vocational School in Bissorã
The ADPP Vocational School is a boarding institution that has offered vocational training for young people from all over the country since its inception in 1997. In some periods of the country’s sometimes turbulent existence, the school has been the only option for vocational training. The training programmes are tailored to meet the needs of the local labour market, and entrepreneurship is integrated into the curriculum across all courses.
The ADPP Vocational School inspires hope for the country’s youth, offering them the opportunity to unlock new possibilities in life. With a dedicated focus on empowering girls through skills development, the school aims to enhance their social and economic independence. Graduates from the programmes emerge as skilled professionals with diverse technical and cooperative competencies, entering established companies or launching their own ventures, transforming their lives and elevating their communities. Vocational training helps reduce youth marginalisation and offers a vital alternative to emigration, which, for many, is seen as the only alternative to a life in poverty.
Beyond its educational mandate, the school engages with the community, providing vital services, initiatives, and cultural activities. Cultural life and events held at the ADPP Vocational School have positively impacted the surrounding communities, enriching lives and promoting connection.