Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

GNP Organizes Literacy Classes for Illiterate Workers

May 19, 2009 - Gorongosa National Park

Workers at Gorongosa National Park (GNP) who never entered a classroom and those who, for a variety of reasons, began their studies but could not complete them, now have the opportunity to realize their dreams of becoming literate through a program run by Mediateca, in conjunction with the Training Sector of the GNP conservation area.

In addition to providing classroom space and a teacher, the project also offers students all necessary study materials completely free of charge, according to availability.

According to the coordinator of instruction, Domingos Muala, who is a teacher with more than ten years of relevant experience, the objective of the project is to allow workers who did not have the opportunity to attend classes during their school-aged years, or who did not complete their schooling, to increase their knowledge and develop their potential, thus overcoming their lack of educational experience.

“We would like to eliminate illiteracy and promote equality of educational opportunities among workers who did not take part in the regular school system, or who abandoned that system prematurely,” Muala added.

According to our source, there are three levels of literacy classes. Students typically remain at the initial level for three months, at the intermediate level for three months, and at the final level for two and a half months. This timeline can vary according to individual student needs, as the methodology used emphasizes individual attention.

“All students regularly complete assessments, and it is through successful completion of these assessment tools that a student can pass from one level to the next,” explained the teacher.

There are nine students of different ages who are currently attending the literacy program. The students are workers who for various reasons were unable to attend school while they where younger and who now have the opportunity to learn to read and write their own names. While attending classes, students learn Portuguese, English, Math and also fundamentals of Geography and History.


“Some of our students come into the program without knowing hardly anything, and they learn, step-by-step, to read and write their first words,” Muala described.

Literacy classes are held three times a week, and each class lasts an hour and a half.

In addition to classes in literacy, Portuguese and English, Mediateca in Chitengo also offers courses for computer users and provides space for a reading room, internet café, and movie viewing.

Carlitos Sunza
Department of Communications/GNP