GRANTS PAID, FOOD DELIVERED TO SCHOOLS - MINISTER

MBABANE - The Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, has announced that schools have finally received their grants and food supplies, following delays in distribution.

Nxumalo said these setbacks should not be interpreted as government taking education lightly. He admitted that delays in fulfilling responsibilities had caused the distribution issues, but assured the nation that preparations for the next academic year are already underway. The tentative date for finishing is this Friday. The distribution commenced on September 12, 2024, two days after schools opened.

Companies

Two companies were selected, but the one for high schools declined at the last minute. Hence, one company had to supply the food to all the 830 schools. As of September 24, it was reported that a total of 199 schools received the free primary education (FPE) grants, with over E24 million paid to the schools. It was reported that over 250 public schools depend on the orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC)  grants, which benefit 53 300 pupils.

Nxumalo started by apologising to the nation for the delays in the payments of the grants (FPE and OVCs). He also apologised to the nation for the delay in food distribution to schools, acknowledging that they were not doing the jobs they were sent to do correctly. According to Nxumalo, money has been paid and food delivered to schools.
He explained that the delays should not be construed as if they are taking education lightly.

“The problem is us working for government. We delay in doing our jobs. Look at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) that has been closed, not because government does not have money, but because there are people who are unable to do their jobs effectively and on time, and that casts a bad name to Their Majesties,” Nxumalo said.

He went on to state that going forward, they will start making preparations for next year early. “We are committed to avoiding a repeat of these delays, Nxumalo said, highlighting that schools will open in January, and the necessary processes have been initiated in advance.

Grants

He urged the ministry’s senior officials to check the progress of the grants and food for next year. “Sometimes delays are caused by schools submitting documents late. Let me urge officials to stop focusing on the festive season, but to start working on the processes for January next year. “May I also urge those responsible in schools to submit all relevant documents early. Even the officials responsible for the paperwork going to the Treasury Department, should submit it early.

“Before we go to the holidays, Cabinet must have received a report on the progress,” he said. On the same note, the minister emphasised that government should be blamed for something that they are able to address on time. He further thanked the media for the role they play in sharing the challenges faced by the education sector.

Meanwhile, the Swaziland Association of School Administrators (SASA) Secretary, Gcina Thusi, said they need to verify the information presented by the minister. Thusi said they will conduct a survey to ascertain if the information is indeed true.

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