The conclusions of a recent congress in Bissau, which convened academics and experts from various Portuguese-speaking countries over three days, highlight the lack of a public library in Guinea-Bissau.
“Top officials need to address this,” stated Ibraima Djaló, the director of the Tchico Té Higher Education School, the event’s organizer and host.
Djaló emphasized that one cannot speak of a developed country without the foundation of education, which requires libraries.
Even Tchico Té itself, offering a degree taught in Portuguese beginning in September, lacks a library.
The institution only provides a Camões Institute space, established over 20 years ago, for student use.
“But what about other specialties? They don’t have this. It should be a national goal. If development is the aim, education with teaching materials and libraries in all public schools is fundamental,” he argued.
According to Djaló, the limited spaces labeled as libraries are merely “rooms with books.”
“A public library is needed in this country,” he emphasized, challenging leaders to consider this necessity.
The three-day Portuguese language congress facilitated academic interaction and debate, underscoring educational gaps.
Data revealed less than 5% of Guinea-Bissau’s population speaks Portuguese, compared to 80% in Angola or 48% in Mozambique.
As noted by Djaló, the country lacks the fundamental base and educational materials. Students learn through teachers’ efforts, which is insufficient.
“Teaching materials are needed at all educational levels. How can the Portuguese language develop without materials?” he questioned.
The country’s political instability leads to an education system that is fragile, with classes starting late or interrupted by strikes, he observed.
A positive development noted in the congress’s closing session was the distribution of textbooks to students and guides to primary school teachers in public schools this academic year.
The event, supported by the Camões Institute and other partners, aids Portuguese language degrees, ongoing teacher training, and the upcoming master’s program—the first of its kind in Guinea-Bissau.
Rui Vaz, the director of language services at the Camões Institute, attended the congress and expressed ongoing support within the next Strategic Cooperation Plan between Portugal and Guinea-Bissau.
The plan is being drafted with Guinea-Bissau authorities and a commissioned research group, creating a strategic document for the Portuguese language in the country.
Awaiting the analysis results, Vaz is optimistic about “doing more and better” in future projects.
Promoters of the first International Congress on Portuguese Language Teaching in Guinea-Bissau concluded the event with plans for a “certain second congress” next year.
