CONTRACT RENEWALS: IT’S ACTUALLY 1 231 TEACHERS

MBABANE – It’s actually 1 231 teachers who will have their contracts renewed.

Government has come out to state that Cabinet has approved contract renewals for 1 231 teachers. Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Public Service Sipho Tsabedze confirmed that the correct position on the issue of employing teachers was that 1 231 teachers would be employed as per the memo that was sent to the Ministry of Education and Training, dated January 19, 2023. This publication was privy to the said memo that the PS had since confirmed to be authentic. According to the memo, the 1 231 teachers would be hired on a contract basis for a period not exceeding two years. When delivering her back-to-school statement about a fortnight ago, the Minister of Education and Training, Lady Mabuza, hinted that government had approved the hiring of teachers on contract basis.

Contracts

The minister said the number of contracts to be renewed were 1 500. However, the memo and the PS in the Ministry of Public Service confirmed that the actual number was 1 231 contracts that would be renewed. When sought for comment yesterday, Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Education and Training Bhekithemba Gama clarified that the minister did not necessarily say the 1 500 was the exact figure of teachers to be hired, but it was an estimation. Gama said the minister said about 1 500. Gama said they were aware of the exact number (1 231) that was confirmed by the Ministry of Public Service. He highlighted that there were possibilities that the Teaching Service Commission would announce the exact figures today.

Petition

On January 13, members of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) marched to deliver a petition to the Ministry of Public Service. One of their demands was the hiring of teachers. They demanded government to hire at least 5 000 teachers this academic year on a permanent basis. They argued that the 5 000 permanent posts would facilitate a good teacher to pupil ratio as it was crucial for learners to have good quality education. In an interview with this publication yesterday, SNAT Secretary General (SG) Lot Vilakati said as an organisation, they were still demanding that government must hire at least 5 000 teachers. He said they were actually disappointed that Cabinet could allow and approve 1 231 while there was a need for at least 5 000 teachers in schools across the country. Vilakati said it would be better if the 1 231 teachers would be hired on a permanent basis. He said as a union, they were disappointed in the manner government was treating the education sector as it showed that it was not prioritised.

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