President Chapo Removes Education Minister Tovela in Reshuffle

Mozambique's President Chapo announced the dismissal of Education Minister Tovela due to her comments suggesting that teachers' financial difficulties were primarily due to poor personal budgeting rather than low incomes or delayed government payments. This statement, made during the Education Ministry’s 2nd Coordinating Council earlier in the month, provoked significant backlash from educators who have long complained about inadequate salaries and unresolved overtime payments.

Critics argued that Tovela's remarks failed to recognize the economic challenges faced by teaching professionals. The controversy has exacerbated tensions between the Ministry of Education and the National Association of Teachers (ANAPRO), which has been advocating for the government to address ongoing disputes over unpaid overtime allowances.

Following Tovela's removal, Édson Macuácua, the former Secretary of State for Science and Higher Education and chairperson of the Technical Commission for the Inclusive National Dialogue, was appointed as her replacement. Additionally, Isaú Menezes was appointed as the new Secretary of State for Science and Higher Education.