Cantina Escolar
Secondary school education in Mozambique often does not give youth the tools to accomplish their future goals. Based on memorization and recitation rather than problem-solving, secondary school education has many large gaps. Cantina Escolar supplements secondary school education by giving students an outlet to pursue their interests beyond classroom curriculum. Each association decides, plans, and executes their own activities, encouraging intellectual curiosity and expanding students’ initiative to learn and pursue their specific interests.
Oferta de material_10/2007
The program also teaches youth the principles of good governance and sound leadership. Each association works in groups to establish statutes which detail democratic processes for elections and decision-making within the groups. This experience of establishing and running their own organization to improve their school community encourages students to become active participants in civil society after secondary school, benefiting their future careers and their communities.
Escola Secundária da Moamba-Maputo
Thus far, Cantina Escolar has been implemented in Moamba at the Secondary School of Moamba, and Chimoio, and the Secondary School of Vila Nova. The Lurdes Mutola Foundation built spaces at each school according to student and community decisions about each one’s individual needs. At the secondary school in Moamba, the Foundation has built a multi-purpose cantina. At Vila Nova, the Foundation has built a library that will support the literature association’s activities as well as benefit the student population in general. Association activities have included sports tournaments, poetry and short story contests, production of a school newspaper, and school talent shows.