General

HLATIKHULU – While Eswatini is one of the few countries in the continent to boast free primary education, some are paying to keep it that way.

At Christ the King Primary School in Hlatikhulu, the school is being billed municipal rates for its gardens, while the high school pays for its sports ground. Both are used for educational purposes.

It is this same garden that the school uses to teach Agriculture and feed children, yet, despite national laws exempting educational property from such charges, the school is forced to pay.

The revelation has sparked concern among mission authorities, who say the financial strain on schools—already operating on tight budgets—is deepening. The Hlatikhulu Town Board is said to have included the mission schools in its rateable properties, even though the regulations clearly state that land or buildings used exclusively for educational purposes are exempt from such charges.

According to school representatives, the rates are not being levied on structures such as classrooms, but school gardens and playgrounds - which form an essential part of the curriculum and child development - are being charged. However, the gardens are still levied.

The situation at Christ the King Primary is not unique, as other schools have noted similar concerns. Particularly for mission schools, this has resulted in some struggling to the extent that, for Christ the King Primary, the word ‘renovation’ sounds far-fetched.

The school, built in 1936, does not have the funds to renovate its roofing or walls, which are beginning to give in.

The head teacher at the school, when reached for comment, stated that the rightful authority to comment on such matters would be the authorised mission representative.

Eswatini News, through its investigation, has uncovered that some schools in urban areas struggle with rates.

Father Zweli Ngwenya, who serves as Communications Officer for the Catholic Diocese in Manzini, confirmed that the Catholic mission has been paying the rates on behalf of its schools. He also confirmed that the school cannot afford to pay the rates from its own budget and that they are instead being paid through the bishop.

Meanwhile, a teacher at one of the schools highlighted that, for primary schools, the Free Primary Education (FPE) grant is E670. He said this only includes a portion for rates, adding that should a school use some of this money for rates, it would be considered misappropriation of funds.

Legal experts say the Rating Act explicitly exempts land used exclusively for educational purposes from the payment of rates. Section 7 of the Act provides that any immovable property used as a school, college or university—including recreation grounds, hostels and classrooms—qualifies for exemption, provided the land is not used for private profit.

They added that the Act also places responsibility on local authorities to ensure that educational institutions are not unfairly listed as rateable properties.

“If the property is used for teaching, training, or pupils welfare, it falls under the definition of educational use,” said one legal analyst. “Charging such schools contradicts the spirit of the Act and could be seen as administrative overreach.”

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Town Board: We charge for vacant, undeveloped land

HLATIKHULU – If land is vacant and undeveloped, rates are charged.

This was stated by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hlatikhulu Town Board, Bongani Dlamini.

He noted that it is true that structures used for educational purposes are not charged rates.

This was in response to reports that Christ the King Primary School and also the high school are being charged rates for their school garden and sports ground.

Dlamini said the charge is usually due to the lack of development on the land.

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Minister for Housing weighs in

HLATIKHULU – The Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Appolo Maphalala, questioned why a school garden or sports ground should be charged rates.

Maphalala, who is also a former Town CEO, noted that, in terms of the rates, gardens used for educational purposes should not be taxed.

While he pointed out that mission schools could be treated differently depending on how the property is classified, he said the Rating Act is clear on facilities used for educational purposes and that they are exempt from such charges.

He added that another way to address this issue is for the concerned facility to apply for an exemption.

*Full article available in our publication.

The offices of the Hlatikhulu Town Board. (Pic: Joseph Zulu)