Geological resources in Mozambique and its presence in educational context.

Abstract

Mozambique is a country with a high geological diversity and a great potential in terms of geological resources. However, the vast majority of the population is unaware of its importance and the role it plays in everyday life. The discovery and exploration of geological resources in this country, coupled with the importance they play in the economic and social development, either locally or national, make the theme of geological resources a subject to which the educational system cannot remain indifferent. The Plano Tecnológico da Educação (Education Technology Plan) (PTE) argues, for its part, the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education based on relevant subjects for Mozambique today. Therefore, and given that 20% of school time in secondary education should be devoted to the study of the local environment, geological resources are an issue that can and should be treated, with the help of ICT, in the scope of the designated "local curriculum". The choice of this subject is related, in addition to its economic importance, with the fact that this is a subject rarely addressed in the educational system and that there is a general lack of knowledge about the geological resources and their importance in everyday life among the population. Like work developed in other countries, this work aims to provide, on the web and on CD-ROM, multimedia curriculum materials on this topic, adapted to local reality, particularly in the provinces of Maputo and Niassa. These curriculum materials are intended to acquaint secondary school students contextualized information of this subject, regarding its relevance in the national context in general and in the local context in particular. In the end it is intended that students hold a set of basic knowledge on the subject of geological resources, which could promote the development of an active and responsible citizenship. Thus, young people will be holders of capabilities that enable them to become participatory citizens who are aware of this matter and its importance in the Mozambican context. Thus, it will contribute to the development of teaching and learning of Geosciences in the Republic of Mozambique.