Luanda: Angolan president Joo Lourenço has ordered the rapid and sustainable construction of more schools, especially primary schools, with the aim to include all children in the education system. According to Angola Press News Agency, the Head of State, who was speaking on Monday at the inauguration of the newly appointed Minister of Education, Erika Linete Batalha de Carvalho Aires, stressed that education and teaching are essential pillars for the development of any society. The president highlighted that despite investments made under the Integrated Municipal Intervention Plan (PIIM) and other public programs, the deficit in school infrastructure remains high. This is largely due to strong demographic pressure and the insufficiency of schools, particularly in primary education. He mentioned that financial resources have already been allocated for the construction of new schools and assured that the Government is open to mobilizing additional funds to address what he termed a serious social problem. Lo urenço noted that the Angolan State is working to recover financial resources located in foreign banks, especially in Europe, which, as per Angolan courts' decisions, belong to the State and must be repatriated. The president articulated plans to use a significant portion of these resources to increase the number of schools, underlining education and health as priority areas for the allocation of these funds. Joo Lourenço emphasized that alongside the construction of new school infrastructure, there must be efforts to train, hire, and reinforce teaching and administrative staff to ensure the effective functioning of educational institutions. Expressing full confidence in the new minister's abilities, the president encouraged her to communicate any challenges in her duties and reiterated his ongoing support for the education sector. In concluding remarks, he expressed a vision for education that surpasses current levels in Angola, wishing the new minister success in her role. Erika Linete Batalha de Carva lho Aires, 47, was appointed Minister of Education last Friday by presidential decree, replacing Luísa Grilo. Before her appointment, she was a member of the National Assembly since 2022 and served as second vice-president of the MPLA Parliamentary Group, with a career in education, governance, and national personnel training. She has also completed training courses in communication and marketing at universities in the United States and Spain.