NO SCHOOL FEES: 40 KIDS OUT OF 120 ATTEMPT SUICIDE

MANZINI- At least 120 children in the Matsapha corridor are out of school, and out of these, 40 attempted to commit suicide last year due to their parents’ failure to pay for their education.

It was gathered that a majority of their parents had reportedly lost their jobs due to various reasons. This was revealed by Eswatini Family Care and Wellness Organisation Director Sibusiso Makhanya. Family Care and Wellness is a non-governmental organisation that seeks to help families deal with psychosocial challenges in society. Makhanya disclosed that some of these children whose parents were out of jobs, were mostly those who worked in the textile firms in Matsapha. He said some of the parents had literally abandoned their children because they were also stressed due to unemployment. Worth noting is that the situation of the 40 children was revealed against  the backdrop of the rise in the number of applications for the orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) grants.

It was reported last Monday by this publication that applications for OVC grants had increased to over 100 000, necessitating government to have a budget of over E195 million. Ever since its inception in 2003, the OVC Fund has been paying E1 950 per child in high school, which most head teachers decried to be meagre. As such, most have been requiring top-up fees, which many parents had been struggling to pay. The fund was officially introduced by His Majesty King Mswati III in his 2003 speech, when officially opening Parliament. Information gathered from the different social workers in the regions was that the number of applications for the grants had increased rapidly. The officers said in as much as the processes were still ongoing but the increase in numbers was noted, topping over 100 000.

Currently, the unemployment rate in the country stands at 33.3 per cent as per the Labour Survey Report of 2021, conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Meanwhile, the director (Makhanya) said a great number of children and youth in Eswatini had been hit by a number of adversities that affected them psychosocially. He noted that the adversities affected their education as well. He attributed these to HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, poverty, droughts, family violence, emotional and physical abuse. He said these affected them to a point where many developed psychological disorders.

Psychosocial

“In 2022 – 2023, a large number of children and youth have not gone back to school due to various psychosocial issues, and many are not taking it well,” Makhanya shared. “While working last year, we registered 120 children and out of these, 40 attempted to kill themselves. As the sessions continued, the children shared that some of their parents could not take them to school because they had lost their jobs. A  majority of the parents were working in the textile firms in Matsapha. Other children were under the free primary education (FPE) programme because  their parents could not afford to pay for their education in high school.

Makhanya reiterated that with the 40 children having confessed to have attempted to commit suicide, it was a sign that they needed to stand up and fight against this adversity. He mentioned that they went through stress and duress, while some developed anxiety. “They go through shame and may develop mild depression and others have lost the power to achieve their dreams. They feel alone and rejected, alone and worthless,” he said. The director stated that some children lost faith in their families who had failed to send them to school, the country and life itself. He mentioned that they doubted and hated themselves. To those who had lost their parents, he stated that they started to feel empty and got triggered on grief.
Makhanya shared that some visible signs included isolation, self-stigma, facial distress, as well as lack of interest in hobbies. He revealed that others ran away from home for no reason. Meanwhile, he said other children became rude and used harsh language. Ultimately, he said other children resorted to using drugs.

On how to deal with such children, the director said people should keep calm and talk to them calmly. He recommended help from spiritual leaders who may counsel the children. “Be careful not to use mocking language towards such children. Find professional counseling if you can afford it,” he suggested. On another note, the director said the organisation was on a fundraising campaign dubbed ‘Please Send Me Back to School Campaign 2023.’ He highlighted that the organisation has currently sent 20 high school children with the support of individuals and organisations in the country. “We owe the schools about E150 000 in school fees. We are appealing to the business, corporate, individuals and churches, to help us pay this amount for the children. They are eager to pursue their education but have been home due to poverty and other psychological issues,” he implored. Members of the public who are willing to help were requested to contact the director on 7851 8410 or 7951 8410. They could alternatively send an email to familycare1@gmail.com.

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