Swazi Observer

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SCHOOL OPENS WITH E29 IN THE BANK

By MELISA MSWELI | 2025-01-29

Mazombizwe Primary started the calendar year with E29 in their school account, leaving pupils with no food for the day.

The headteacher Themba Dlamini said the school did not have water and could not afford to hire a tanker for water supply.

The school could also not afford firewood and the support staff has still not been paid their salaries from last term.

As if that is not dire enough, the only available food from last term is expected to last two weeks and thereafter they will be at the mercy of the government distribution for supply.

Dlamini has further disclosed that the school had less than 30 electricity units yesterday and did not know how they were going to conduct teaching and learning after the units finished.

The school was visited by the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Nhlangano branch executive committee to assess the damage.

Two classes had vegetation growth on the concrete floor after they were affected by the storm and their roof was blown off. The headteacher said they reported the issue and were told that it would be attended but nothing has been done since.

He said they were forced to change two streams to one because of the damaged classes and take the other grade to the school hall.

“We also have some teachers who asked for transfers and we will need replacements,” he said.
The headteacher said he was going to engage a local milling to assist them get mealie meal on credit as well as a tractor while waiting for government funds.

Shiselweni Regional Education Officer Siboniso Gumbi said money for this year was yet to be deposited.

He said food was yet to be delivered as schools were closed. When asked about the classes that were supposed to be fixed, Gumbi said the headteacher was irresponsible if he only went to report once. Gumbi said the headteacher was supposed to repeatedly remind the ministry of the request, especially the planning department.

He said parents were also not supposed to leave everything to the government as the children were theirs after all.

He said they were supposed to assist government and show up for their own children’s education.

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