MBABANE- Learners have been warned against provoking confrontations between their parents and teachers.
The Ministry of Education and Training has called for greater respect for educators and peaceful resolution of school-related disagreements.
Principal Secretary (PS) in the ministry Nanikie Mnisi said learners should not incite their parents to confront teachers whenever they were unhappy with disciplinary action or other decisions taken at school. She said disagreements between learners and teachers should be handled constructively rather than allowing them to escalate into arguments involving parents and educators.
Mnisi was speaking during Somnjalose High School’s 2026 Teachers Awards ceremony held at SibaneSami Hotel, where teachers whose learners excelled in the previous examination season were recognised. She urged learners to appreciate that teachers were in school to guide them, instil discipline and help them secure a better future.
The PS’s remarks came as she appealed to parents and learners to work with teachers in creating safe and supportive learning environments. She said teachers should not have to face hostility in the execution of their duties, adding that learners needed to understand the importance of respecting those entrusted with their education.
Mnisi also appealed to teachers to exercise positive discipline, saying learners should be corrected without being made to feel that they had no place in school. She noted that excessive punishment could discourage learners from attending school, with some opting to stay at home rather than return to an environment where they felt unwelcome.
The PS encouraged teachers to consider the circumstances of individual learners, particularly those from disadvantaged families who might be struggling with challenges beyond their control. She commended Somnjalose High School teachers for their patience towards parents and learners who faced difficulties meeting school fee obligations.
She said some educators went beyond their teaching responsibilities by assisting learners with uniforms and other basic needs, sometimes using their own money. Mnisi described teaching as a calling, noting that educators were not only responsible for delivering lessons but also found themselves acting as parents, counsellors and social workers.
She acknowledged the challenges teachers faced, including overcrowded classrooms, inadequate resources and long travelling distances, but encouraged them to remain committed to shaping the country’s future. She further called on learners to remain focused on their studies, respect their teachers and avoid conduct that could derail their education. The awards ceremony recognised teachers whose learners performed well in the previous examination season, celebrating their contribution to academic achievement.
When making his remarks at the occasion, Somnjalose Headteacher Macandza Mamba thanked the teachers for working hard to achieve the results. He further spoke at length about the problems faced by the school including that of temporary teachers some that have been serving the school for over 5 years. “We have made renewals recently and we plead with the ministry to make sure that the issue is fixed so that our teachers get to be rewarded for the work they put in.
Worth noting is that the issue of teachers’ employment conditions has also featured in Parliament, where Members of Parliament questioned Government’s continued reliance on temporary contracts for educators.
During a recent sitting, MPs raised concerns about the job security of teachers, with Timphisini MP Thulani Nsingwane questioning why educators were repeatedly employed on fixed-term contracts while other civil servants enjoyed permanent positions.
Public Service Minister Mabulala Maseko said Government was working towards absorbing contract teachers into permanent positions. This follows an earlier disclosure by Education and Training Minister Owen Nxumalo that Government had 2 584 teachers employed on contract. Government has since reported that 243 teachers, comprising 130 primary school teachers and 113 secondary school teachers, were moved into permanent positions during 2026.
