Ministry of Education has found itself in an awkward situation as schools open today for the 2024/25 academic year second-term, but some schools in Nsanje District are sheltering Mozambican asylus seekers.
By yesterday, there were about 2 789 households from Mozambique being kept at Nyamithuthu and Chikonje primary schools, Tengani Evacuation Centre as well as Chazuka, Mnembe and Mizola community-based childcare centres in the district.
The Nation spot-checks at Nyamithuthu and Chikonje primary schools found that by 5pm yesterday, some Mozambican asylum seekers were still camping in the said schools.
In an interview, Ministry of Education spokesperson Mphatso Nkuonera said the ministry was aware of the situation, but was still consulting on the way forward.
“We are aware that some refugees are camping in primary schools. However, let me consult first,” he said.
In a separate interview, Nsanje district commissioner Dominic Mwandira said the council has identified 46 hectares at Nyamithuthu where it intends to relocate the refugees.
He expressed hope that the relocation exercise would be completed as soon as possible, especially for those camping in schools to enable learners to have access to classrooms.
Said Mwandira: “So far, we have received 238 tents to be erected at the identified land and we are expecting more tents to make a total of about 500 tents. Various stakeholders are on site now erecting the tents.
“Water has already been connected, so our plan is that by the end of today [yesterday], no one should be camping in schools.”
The asylum seekers fled their country following post-election protests after Mozambique’s Constitutional Council confirmed the victory of ruling Frelimo presidential candidate Daniel Chapo in the October 9 national elections.
Chapo is expected to be sworn in as Mozambique president on January 15 2025, succeeding President Filipe Nyusi who has completed his two terms.
Decide Election Platform and other covil society organisations have reported that since October 21 2024 about 277 people have been killed and 586 are nursing gunshot wounds.
The tensions are causing a strain on Mozambique’s neighbours. Besides Malawi, Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, is also hosting at least 1 000 Mozambican households.
