At least 109 schools in the state network of Rio de Janeiro went without electricity this year due to energy cable theft. One of the affected units is Ciep 168 Ilda Silveira Rodrigues, in Nova Iguaçu, in Baixada Fluminense, where criminals stole the cables about a month ago.
First-year high school student Larissa Rodrigues, 17 years old, is one of those affected by the lack of electricity. In the classrooms, the natural light coming through the windows has replaced electric lighting, and on cloudy days students need to use their phone flashlights to see the board.
The school hallways remain in darkness during the early morning hours, even with daylight. Classes have been held in an improvised manner since the energy cable theft.
