Mozambican President Daniel Chapo said on Saturday that schools should develop “well-rounded people”, preparing young people for life beyond exams, and pledged new public investment in infrastructure, teachers, coaches and talent identification. “School, for us, remains the greatest instrument of social transformation at our disposal. It is at school that we acquire knowledge, learn to… Source
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo said on Saturday that schools should develop “well-rounded people”, preparing young people for life beyond exams, and pledged new public investment in infrastructure, teachers, coaches and talent identification.
“School, for us, remains the greatest instrument of social transformation at our disposal. It is at school that we acquire knowledge, learn to think, respect others, cooperate and serve the common good,” the Head of State said in Maxixe, Inhambane province, at the opening of the 16th National School Sports Games Festival.
Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique
Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique
Addressing thousands of students from all provinces of the country, Chapo said school sport is an extension of the classroom and an essential tool for building the character and values needed for national development, and called for education to go beyond the transmission of academic knowledge, taking on a central role in the civic and human development of young Mozambicans.
In this regard, he called for “an education that develops well-rounded people”: “An education that prepares young people for exams, but equally for life.”
The 16th National School Sports Games Festival runs until 6 September in the cities of Maxixe and Inhambane, in southern Mozambique, bringing together 1,430 student athletes from Mozambique’s 11 provinces, who are competing in eight disciplines: athletics, handball, basketball, eleven-a-side football, gymnastics, traditional games, indoor volleyball and chess.
In total, the event involves more than 1,800 participants, including coaches, referees and support teams.
Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique
Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique
Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique
At the opening of the event, the President stressed that sport teaches fundamental lessons about discipline, work, perseverance and respect for opponents, arguing that “the true champion is not only the one who wins medals” but rather the one who “overcomes their own limitations” and “knows how to be humble in victory and dignified in defeat”.
Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique
Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique
“It is precisely at this point that school sport takes on extraordinary importance, because it is at school that nation-building begins. It is here that we transmit knowledge, shape people’s character, discover talents and cultivate the values that tomorrow will determine the quality of our society,” he said.
Chapo also underlined the role of the School Games in promoting national unity and highlighted how the meeting of young people from different regions transforms Mozambique into a “true community of common destiny”.
Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique
The Head of State also described school sport as the main breeding ground for future national athletes and called for mechanisms to be created to enable talents to be followed from school through to the national teams.
“It is our responsibility to create a true bridge between schools, clubs, federations and national teams, so that no talent is lost through lack of opportunity,” he said.
In his speech, the President reiterated his commitment to developing the sector, guaranteeing the continuation of public investment in several areas considered strategic.
Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique
“The Government will remain firmly committed to strengthening school sport. We will continue to invest in improving sports infrastructure, enhancing the status of Physical Education teachers, training coaches, expanding participation in sport and the early identification of Mozambican talents,” he said.
Chapo argued that investing in young people represents an investment in the country’s future, stating that it “is never an expense” but rather the “safest investment a nation can make in its own future”.
Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique
**Source: **Lusa
