Mozambique Enacts Decree 54/2026 on Private Education, Foreign Curricula

Mozambique has recently enacted Decree No. 54/2026, mandating that private education be conducted exclusively in person and requiring foreign-curriculum schools to incorporate specific national subjects. This new regulatory regime, recently approved by the relevant authorities, introduces significant changes to the operational and curricular requirements for private educational institutions across the country. The excerpt does not provide further details on the specific date of approval or implementation timeline.

This new legal framework carries substantial implications for the private education sector in Mozambique, including both local and international schools. The "in-person only" mandate will necessitate a complete overhaul of any existing online or hybrid learning models adopted by private institutions, potentially impacting accessibility, pedagogical approaches, and the overall business models of these schools. For foreign-curriculum schools, the integration of national subjects such as Portuguese Language, Geography, History of Mozambique, and Social Sciences represents a significant curriculum adjustment, aimed at strengthening national identity and cultural understanding among students, including expatriate children. This move reflects a broader governmental policy objective to assert greater control over educational content and delivery within the private sector, ensuring alignment with national educational goals and values.

The regulatory changes are enshrined in Decree No. 54/2026, indicating a formal legislative act by the Mozambican government, likely issued by the Council of Ministers or a relevant ministry under delegated authority. This decree falls within the broader legal framework governing education in Mozambique, which typically includes constitutional provisions on education, general education laws, and various ministerial decrees and regulations. The government's power to regulate education, including private institutions, is a fundamental aspect of state sovereignty and public policy. The requirement for national subjects in foreign-curriculum schools is a common practice in many countries, often justified on grounds of national interest, cultural preservation, and ensuring a common civic understanding among all residents.

The primary parties affected by this decree are private educational institutions in Mozambique, particularly those offering foreign curricula, and the students and families who utilize these schools. The Mozambican Government, through the body that approved Decree No. 54/2026 (likely the Council of Ministers or Ministry of Education), is the enacting authority responsible for these new regulations.

Attorneys advising private schools in Mozambique, especially those with foreign curricula or those that have adopted online learning models, must immediately review Decree No. 54/2026 to understand its full scope and implications. Schools will need to assess their current operational models and curricula to ensure compliance, which may involve significant structural and pedagogical changes, including curriculum development, teacher training, and potentially physical infrastructure adjustments to accommodate exclusive in-person learning. Legal counsel should guide institutions on the necessary steps for curriculum integration and any required operational shifts. Businesses and individuals involved in the education sector or those with children in private schools should also be aware of these new mandates and their potential impact on educational choices and delivery.