Manzini schools tell parents to wait for 2010

MANZINI – Local schools have told parents to wait until next year to gain access to free education.

The High Court had ruled that government should implement Free Primary Education (FPE) this year as per the provisions of the constitution.

Yesterday, when schools opened, it was all quiet in the morning as there were no parents queuing to register their children.

When the newspaper visited some schools, most parents were dropping off their children.
Most principals who were interviewed said they did not have a situation where parents wanted to register their children.
The principals pointed out that it was impractical to allow new pupils to start studying this term.

They explained that most of the groundwork was done during the first term, adding that it would be difficult for new children to catch up. Another hiccup, the principals said was that facilities had not been provided to accommodate new pupils this term.

The principals felt that implementation of the program would cost government a lot of money because a lot of things should be in place, such as teachers’ houses, new classrooms and furniture.
One principal who did not want his name to be published stated that FPE program will promote private schools.
“In our culture, it is nice to see children together from the same bowl.

However, the politicians’ children will not be educated in public schools, and this will be unfair,” the principal said.
Government made it clear that the rollout for FPE will be in January 2010 for Grades One and Two. However, civic organisations were insisting that the program should be implemented this year in line with the constitution.

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