‘WIDOWS NOT ALLOWED IN NATIONAL SCHOOLS’

PIGG’S PEAK – Widows are not allowed to teach in national schools, resulting in forced transfers.

This was a concern raised by the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) members during the 73rd Biennial Conference.
The information is contained in a report compiled from minutes of the 74th/7th Biennial Conference.

Over 150 teachers attended the conference, which was held at the Bulembu Country Lodge.
The conference took place on May 6, 2016.
Some of the teachers had raised concerns that widows were not allowed in national schools but were instead transferred to other schools against their will.

The concerns were, however, reported to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), according to the minutes. Teachers complained that it was the norm for a teacher whose husband had passed on to be transferred from a national school.
The TSC is quoted to have responded by saying  teachers had to abide.

“On widows, it is said these schools are national schools. Unfortunately teachers have to abide,” the report stated.
Bongiwe Khumalo, the gender focal person at SNAT, said the issue regarding widows was still a problem for the organisation.
“We have had teachers in the past who have complained about that,” said Khumalo.

She said she knew of some of the teachers who were told to stay away after they were bereaved.
“This is common in national schools,” said Khumalo.

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