MBABANE: All signs show that schools might have an early Christmas break this year. But when to close or not to close schools is an issue that is dividing teachers and the ministry of education.
Teachers in most schools have completed the syllabus and scheduled early exams to be able to free teachers to go and mark external examination scripts at the Eswatini Examinations Council.
Because they don’t want students roaming around the schools unsupervised, teachers want to send them home – before the scheduled official closure date of 6 December.
But the Ministry will have none of it. “We expect that schools close on the 6th December. All those affected are aware of this. Teachers are certainly aware of this,” Ministry of Education acting Principal Secretary declared on Eswatini Radio.
Acknowledging that teachers finished the syllabus early and the exams council also set an early exam, Ms Mnisi is adamant that learners will not be sent home early: “We expect teachers will continue to teach as we believe that students must receive a proper education that is consistent with SDG4 which requires that students spend a specific number of days in school.
“We are therefore disturbed to hear that teachers are planning to close schools before the scheduled time. An unscheduled close of schools is unacceptable. Many parents who expect children to be at school will not have planned for their supervision if they return home. Children should not roam around unmonitored as they will be exposed to various risks, including teenage pregnancies, substances abuse and gangsterism,” she said.
“While we don’t take it for granted that teachers already carry a heavy burden, still, we appeal to SNAT and head teachers’ association to comply with regulations.”
Ms Mnisi said only the minister of education has the authority to approve closure of a school before the scheduled time.
The teachers’ union, SNAT however believes that keeping students at school to roam around school while teachers are busy marking will create exactly the effect that the ministry seeks to avoid.
“From next week, in most schools, teachers will be marking and students will be idle,” SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini said.
“As it is, there are many problems in schools that make it necessary to close schools early. There is a problem of food – many schools have not received food. Some head teachers had to take loans because they still have not received funds from the ministry. So if students stay in school, they will be exposed to a lot of dangers,” he said.
“The truth is that if the ministry sees it fit to keep students in school, then it must arrange that teachers only go to mark after 6 December when schools will have closed. Otherwise, it is fair that the ministry approve that teachers use their discretion not to compromise the welfare of children by exposing them to danger,” the teachers’ leader said.
Jm/today/15.11.2024
