Cape Verde to Launch Extended School Hours for Families
In a major move to modernize social support, the Cape Verdean government is launching a pilot program to extend school hours on three of its islands. The initiative is designed to keep students in supervised environments after classes end, providing much-needed relief to working parents and overburdened grandparents.
Easing the Burden on Families
Set to debut in the 2026/2027 academic year, the project will begin on the islands of Sal, Boa Vista, and Santiago—specifically targeting the capital city of Praia. Minister of Family Adélsia Almeida announced the plan during a Sunday broadcast on Radio Cape Verde (RCV), noting that if the pilot proves successful, the government intends to expand the measure nationwide.
The core objective is to ensure that children remain in safe, supervised spaces when they are not in formal instruction. During these extended hours, students will receive academic support and participate in various leisure and pedagogical activities. This shift is particularly focused on alleviating the domestic workload of grandparents, who often become primary caregivers when parents are working or have emigrated abroad.
Innovative Use of School Space
Implementation will vary based on local infrastructure. Minister Almeida explained that schools with lower enrollment will host students directly on their premises for the full day. However, in schools that still operate on morning and afternoon shifts, the government will utilize nearby after-school activity centers (ATLs).
By keeping children under adult supervision until 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, the government aims to help guardians better reconcile their professional responsibilities with child rearing while fostering a more structured environment for child development.
The Myth of the “Old Support Network”
The announcement follows warnings from sociologists that Cape Verde’s traditional family support networks are fracturing. While it has long been common for children to stay with grandmothers or godmothers while parents seek work elsewhere, experts argue that these informal systems are no longer sufficient.
Sociologist Redy Lima recently told Lusa that as society grows more complex, the dangers facing adolescents have increased. “When this network fails, it is up to the State to ensure support,” Lima stated. Fellow sociologist Elísio Semedo echoed these concerns, noting that while grandmothers once had a “strong capacity for monitoring,” today’s educational and social demands often exceed what elderly caregivers can provide.
By intervening with extended school hours, the Cape Verdean government hopes to modernize its social safety net, ensuring the next generation remains protected and mentored, even as the traditional family structure evolves.
Image: Pexels – Lagos Food Bank Initiative
