245.Sexual abuse and violence in schools has been a problem faced by the country’s education sector. Sexual abuse means any forma of sexual contact without consent either among colleagues, and between teachers and students. This is an issue involving families and communities. 246.There has been a considerable decline in the number of teachers who become involved with students. Only 3 incidents have been reported, leading to the expulsion of the teachers concerned. Nonetheless, schools continue to report pregnancy cases due to sexual abuse involving students, relatives of female adolescents, community members and individuals working for various institutions. According to information obtained from the various provinces, a total of 100 cases were reported to the Ministry of Education in 2010. 247.When teachers become involved in this type of situation, the following measures shall apply:    Parents and relatives of students who have been victims of sexual abuse are encouraged to report incidents; Disciplinary action against teachers who have become sexually involved with students in terms of Decree № 39/2003; Compliance with Article 11 of the General Civil Servant and State Agent Statutes, whereby teachers “should not overstep their professional relationship with students for whatever purpose”. 248.When sexual abuse involves students, teachers report the matter to the school authorities and in conjunction with the school Board they should seek a solution to the problem. Depending on the seriousness of any given case, the school should find the best way of retaining students, thereby preventing them from dropping out of school and being discriminated against by other students. The school shall resort to legal institutions which campaign against violence and for the prevention of sexual abuse as a means of sensitizing other students and encouraging class rooms to report those who are involved in such practices. There have been, however, difficulties in punishing sexual violence and sexual harassment, especially when it involves female students and members of the community and/or people working for sectors other than education. 249.Aware that sexual abuses hinder the learning process, in particular among female students, thereby leading to an increase in the number of students who fail or leave school, the Ministry of Education has since 2003 been making efforts to reduce the number of incidents in schools. 250. Parliament has approved Order № 39/2003 (protecting students, notably girls), the Code of Code for school professionals (responsibilities, rights and duties), the integration of Articles 46, 47, 48 and 52 of the Basic Education Rules, among other documents. Other measures include a zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment/abuse and a number of activities aimed at reducing the number of students who drop out of school, namely: Combined Report from the Republic of Mozambique to the ACHPR, 1999-2010 44