Angolan students propose to reduce bus prices to 70 kwanzas

The Angolan Student Movement (MEA) this Wednesday proposed to the state to reduce the price of public transport to 70 kwanzas (0.07 euros) instead of 150 kwanzas (0.16 euros), admitting that it will continue to demonstrate if the government refuses.

We are talking about the increase in prices last week for public transport, buses for 150 kwanzas and unofficial private taxis for 200 kwanzas (0.22 euros).

This Wednesday, the movement held a press conference attended by several students armed with placards with statements such as “IEA is against increasing public transport – 150 is too much” and “My need cannot determine my studies, 150 kroner is too much.” ” “

There was also a significant police presence at the scene.

MEA President Francisco Teixeira said the movement would propose to the government that the tax exemption for some students aged six to 15 be extended to all students, up to and including higher education.

“We are not satisfied with this attitude of the state towards yet another violation of students’ rights. On this Wednesday, we united in favor of social justice, protecting our rights and our freedoms, which are violated every day by bad, insensitive people. government and clearly shows itself to be an enemy of education,” said Francisco Teixeira.

The student leader emphasized that “education today is not only a right but also a human need,” a constitutional right enshrined in Article 23, with the “principle of equality.”

“No one shall be disadvantaged or privileged, deprived of any rights or relieved of any responsibilities by reason of his economic status. 150 kwanzas for travel on public transport is a lot, our proposal is to reduce this amount to 70 kwanzas,” he said.

“We also propose that the Government create conditions for all first-year students. [classe] Until they receive higher education, they are entitled to a student social pass,” he added.

Francisco Teixeira also opposed the National Integrated Ticketing Company (ENBI) charging 1,000 kwanzas (€1.1) to students aged 6 to 15 attending up to 9th grade for using a Social pass, which entitles you to up to 60 free trips per month.

“The student social pass is free, the ticket office cannot charge 1,000 kwanzas for each pass, we do not agree with this. We want to show the school ID, get a social pass and use public transport,” he said.

ENBI requires that purchasing a social pass along with identity documents costs one thousand kwanzas.

According to Francisco Teixeira, due to rising prices, students are “fleeing away.” [zona do 1.º de Maio) até aos Congolenses (entre seis e sete quilómetros), daqui até ao Palanca (aproximadamente oito quilómetros)”.

“Esta medida vai certamente aumentar as dificuldades dos estudantes no acesso às aulas. Como ficarão os estudantes que vivem nas áreas muito longe das nossas escolas, como ficam os estudantes que têm dificuldade de pagar 150 ou 200 kwanzas dos azuis e brancos [táxis informais]”, he expressed.

In turn, in statements to the press, MEA Vice-President Joaquim Lutandi said that this Wednesday’s act was the beginning of subsequent steps, which include the presentation of MEA proposals to the provincial government of Luanda and the executive, with a seven-day deadline for a response, as well as raising awareness and mobilizing students to go out onto the streets.

“We will not be satisfied with an unfair measure, so if we have to mobilize students on the streets, we will and will hold continuous demonstrations until the government abandons this unfair measure,” he said.

Joaquim Lutandi said students will also demand decent treatment in transport, particularly on buses.

“We will also demand dignity, that students are transported as people and not as animals,” he stressed.