MBABANE – The Ministry of Education and Training has strongly warned teachers following reports that some learners are being made to pay for remedial lessons (extra classes).
This practice, according to government, is unacceptable and undermines the integrity of the education system.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training Nanikie Mnisi said the matter was brought to the ministry’s attention and was discussed in a recent engagement with the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT).
Mnisi said both the ministry and the teachers’ union had acknowledged the concerns, warning that such practices not only damage the image of the education sector but also tarnish the reputation of the teaching profession and its representative structures.
“We had a fruitful discussion with SNAT. We confirmed our fears that pupils are made to pay for remedial action and the association mentioned that such has been brought to their attention. We denounce such tendencies as they not only deny the image of education, but of the association,” she said.
The ministry further raised concern over the timing and manner in which remedial lessons are conducted, particularly during winter periods when learners are exposed to harsh conditions while travelling long distances between home and school.
Mnisi said the ministry is deeply concerned about the safety of learners, citing cases of abuse and violent crime affecting schoolchildren in transit.
“We also lamented the remedial action during winter months, as pupils are vulnerable walking long distances from home to school, then school to home. They are raped and murdered such, as the recent painful incident around Nginamadvolo, where a pupil lost her life after being raped. Our hearts go out to the family who lost their child to such a hideous tragedy,” she said.
The ministry stressed that learner safety must remain a priority and encouraged schools to consider alternative arrangements that do not expose pupils to unnecessary risks, especially during periods of poor weather and early or late movement.
In addition, Mnisi addressed the working arrangements of teachers, urging them to establish residence near their workplaces where possible, in order to reduce unnecessary travel and improve efficiency.
“We also want to encourage teachers that as schools close, they should go home and rest as opposed to staying at school, getting bored and calling learners to while away the time as they are unable to go home,” she said.
The ministry also emphasised the importance of rest for both teachers and learners, insisting that all stakeholders must respect designated school holidays and term breaks.
“Another thing, everyone, be it pupils or teachers, must rest as per the allocated school terms breaks,” Mnisi added.
On staffing challenges, the ministry and SNAT reportedly expressed concern over the shortage of relief teachers, which has affected continuity in teaching and learning when educators are on sick leave or maternity leave.
Mnisi said in the past, relief posts were more readily available to ensure that learners’ rights to education were not disrupted when teachers were absent for legitimate reasons.
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Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training Nanikie Mnisi said the matter was brought to the ministry’s attention and was discussed in a recent engagement with the Swaziland National Association of Teachers. (File pic)