TEACHERS’ STRIKE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

MBABANE – The devastating teachers’ strike last year may have been a stumbling block to academic progress, but Thando Vilakati managed to use it as a stepping stone to excellence.

The teachers, who affiliate to the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), were striking over their cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA). Thando, who was then seriously preparing for his Junior Certificate (JC) Examination, made positive adjustments to his study schedule, taking advantage of the strike. It paid off, as he made it to the national Merit list by scoring a whopping 91 per cent aggregate, just four points below the best of the best, which was 96 per cent. The Evelyn Baring High School pupil was excited after hearing the news of his success. He recalled how he studied hard through the assistance of his parents and teachers.

Strike

“During the teachers strike, others were overjoyed at the free holidays, but I took advantage and studied even harder. I knew we were already preparing for the examinations and all continuous learning was almost done.  I woke up at 2am to study until dawn. I’m happy that eventually it came to this,” he said. He said throughout the year he stayed away from bad company and spent less time watching TV. He debarred himself from Facebook and WhatsApp, which he said were bad influence to him. Thando said he wanted to be a pilot upon completion of his studies.

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