Mozambican government studies Portuguese model of vocational technical education

The Mozambican government is studying the Portuguese vocational training system to, in particular, streamline the issuance of certificates, a measure included in the ongoing reform to enhance skills and strengthen the quality and employability of the sector.

"Our goal is to ensure an effective, credible, and inclusive system for issuing certificates in the country," said the Secretary of State for Technical and Professional Education, Léo Jamal, during a visit to vocational schools in Portugal, as quoted in a note from the Mozambican Ministry of Education and Culture, consulted today by Lusa.

The visit to Portugal follows visits and experiences shared in the sector with countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Tanzania, as part of a process that began in March with seminars and provincial consultations on certification and quality in technical education, the same information details.

"We're working to improve our information management platform for vocational training. One of the challenges we face there is making the certification process increasingly flexible," the minister stated during his visit to Portugal.

He emphasized that "it is possible to have a certificate issued more quickly," and that the Portuguese experience will be "capitalized" to assess how to apply it in Mozambique, in accordance with the Professional Education Law and in line with international practices.

According to the Secretary of State, Mozambique currently has more than 180 qualifications approved within the national framework, compared to more than 300 in Portugal, and therefore wants to identify areas of cooperation.

The former Portuguese ambassador to Mozambique, António Costa Moura, had already emphasized, at the June 10 ceremonies in Maputo, the “relationship of friendship and cooperation between sovereign, free and equal countries,” translated into bilateral cooperation agreements in various areas, from health to training, defense, security, culture or education, including technical and professional training.

“Between 2001 and 2018, it benefited more than 1,700 educational agents, teachers and directors of vocational schools and assisted in the graduation of more than 60,000 students,” said the diplomat, who left office at the end of June, regarding Portugal’s support for Mozambique in this sector.