Swazi Observer

FULL STORY

TSC HIRES 1 200 CONTRACT TEACHERS IN 10 DAYS

By PHEPHILE MOTAU | 2021-04-08

HITTING the ground running. This best describes the work done by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), since Chairman Simanga Mamba’s contract was renewed. TSC has managed to renew contracts for 1 192 teachers in just 10 days. There has been concern since the opening of schools about the non-renewal of contracts, especially since TSC did not have a chairman, until Mamba’s contract was extended by two months by Education and Training Minister Lady Howard-Mabuza a week ago. The commission has also managed to promote and post 42 principals for primary schools and 19 for high schools. This was revealed by Mamba during a press conference to update the nation on the teacher hiring process yesterday. The chairman revealed that over the past 10 days, they had posted a total of 992 high school and 200 primary school teachers. The teachers are for all the regions in the country. Mamba said from the total of high school teachers, 284 were for the Manzini region, 246 for Lubombo, 235 for Hhohho and 227 for the Shiselweni region. Renewed He said they renewed contracts for 200 teachers for primary schools. He further explained that these educators had their contracts, which expired last year renewed from April 1 for a two-year period and that the primary school teachers had filled spaces that were created from the death, retirement and promotion of other teachers. “The commission has renewed contracts for declared contract teachers for a two--year period. The contract renewals are for those teachers whose contract expired in the year 2020,” he said. Ensure “For the smooth operation of schools, the commission promoted and posted 42 principals for primary schools and 19 headteachers for high schools. We have tried to ensure that all schools have a headteacher at the time schools open,” Mamba said. Mamba further said the teachers were expected to be at their schools as of Wednesday, April 7, 2021(yetserday). Mamba said although there were still some vacancies in schools, there was now stability in the learning institutions, and they would employ more teachers. “The commission requests all teachers who have been engaged on contract to go to the regional education offices and sign their contracts on Friday April 9, 2021,” Mamba said. He added that the commission had finalised transfers for the year 2021. Successful candidates will be contacted by the office of their respective regional education officers. Transfers are very limited due to the issue of posts and subject combination in high schools. The commission, therefore, recommended that teachers should also consider cross transfers with other teachers with the same subject combination and post grade. Mamba further thanked members of the commission for the dedication they put in ensuring that the posts were filled, saying they even worked during the holidays. He also thanked the regional education officers (REOs), ministry officials and the schools managers for their assistance.

..................TSC assures unemployed qualified teachers

THERE is light at the end of the tunnel for qualified teachers who have remained unemployed for years. TSC Chairman Simanga Mamba said following the grant of the waiver authority to fill the vacant posts in primary schools, the Commission informed all applicants who were primary teachers diploma graduates that candidates to be considered for employment were those who completed in the years 2018 and 2019 due to limited vacancies. He said currently they had 1 843 applications, excluding 2020 graduates. “Due to the high number of applicants and limited vacancies, the Commission will interview applicants,” Mamba said. He said for high school teachers, they had applications dating back to 2015. Mamba said candidates who completed earlier should be considered for employment. “At the moment the Commission is considering candidates who completed between 2015 and 2018. These candidates will be engaged on contract basis,” Mamba said. He said the Commission would also work on relocating primary teachers who were qualified to teach in high school on a permanent basis. Mamba also gave the list of the years they would be working on. “The employment of teachers is still ongoing. The Commission shall also fill vacant administrative positions that were advertised in the year 2019/2020. Candidates who have been shortlisted will be invited for interviews,” Mamba said. The chairman added that they were cognisant of the number of permanent teachers who had upgraded from secondary teacher’s diploma to bachelor’s degree secondary qualification. He said they currently had 342 in their data base. “The promotions from diploma to degree post will be done in due course as posts allow,” Mamba said. He added that the Commission would take into consideration the year of completion. Mamba said another factor the Commission had to also consider are the degreed teachers who were waiting to be relocated to high schools.

................Qualifications of high school teachers who will be first in line to be relocated to high school and completion years: n Bachelor of Humanities English/History-2010 n Bachelor of Humanities Siswati/History-2012 n Bachelor of Humanities Siswati RE-2015 n Bachelor of Humanities History RE-2014 n Bachelor of Science Agricultural Education-2016 n Bachelor of Science Consumer Science Education-2016 n Bachelor of Education Primary-2017

......................Report corrupt officials - TSC chairman

The Teaching Service Commission has called those who are required to pay bribes for teaching jobs to report to authorities. TSC Chairman, Simanga Mamba said the Commission was aware that due to the high number of graduates, applicants had been rendered vulnerable. “This situation is now a fertile ground for corrupt activities. The Commission wishes to inform all applicants that services of the Commission are free of charge. Any person or official who poses as the Commission’s officer and attempts to extort applicants monies should be reported to the law enforcement agencies,” Mamba added. He sent a stern warning to teachers to desist from any form of bribes and entertaining any syndicate. “Further, teachers and applicants are reminded that any form of payment for a service in the Commission is a bribe and such conduct is corruption and punishable by law,” Mamba said.

share story