MBABANE – In a decisive move that signals a shift from rhetoric to action, the Ministry of Education and Training has taken action against 39 head teachers.
The head teachers had action taken against them following an independent investigation by this publication, which was complemented by findings of the Ministry of Education and Training.
The investigations uncovered widespread non-compliance with regulations governing school fees. They revealed that out of 50 public primary schools found to be charging top-up fees, only 11 had submitted formal applications to the ministry seeking approval, a mandatory legal requirement before any additional charges may be imposed on parents.
The remaining schools collected money without authorisation, effectively defying government policy and the law.
The Shiselweni Region emerged as the worst offender, with 18 schools found to be unlawfully charging top-up fees. This was followed by the Manzini Region with 10 schools, Lubombo Region with seven and Hhohho Region with four schools implicated.
It is worth noting that the schools that sought top-up fees from guardians and parents of learners are contravening the Constitution of Eswatini of 2005.
The Free Primary Education (FPE) Act of 2010, read together with the Constitution, guarantees free education from Grade I to Grade VII, placing strict limits on any additional charges.
Under the law, schools may only levy top-up fees with express approval from the ministry, following a transparent process involving parents and school committees.
Following the findings, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training Nanikie Mnisi, moved swiftly to operationalise the ministry’s earlier warning.
Formal letters were issued to the 39 implicated head teachers, directing them to show cause why they continued to demand top-up fees, in contravention of the FPE Act.
In the letters, it has been established that the head teachers have been informed that disciplinary actions will be instituted against them for breaching the law.
The current action directly follows a strongly worded warning previously issued by the ministry, in which the ministry declared that head teachers who demanded top-up fees or turned learners away would be charged with theft.
At the time, the ministry said government had already paid for all learners enrolled under FPE through public taxes, making any additional charges illegal and criminal.
“Any head teacher who demands top-up fees or turns pupils away from school is committing theft. Government has already paid for these learners and no one has the right to collect extra money from parents,” the ministry said then.
That warning followed reports that some learners had been denied access to school for failing to pay additional charges allegedly imposed by school authorities.
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Highest top-up charge E1 950, lowest E42
MBABANE – In one of the schools, parents are reportedly ordered to pay as much as E1 950, while the lowest amount recorded among affected schools stood at E42, an investigation has uncovered.
An analysis of the fees established by this publication in its independent investigation depicted that there was no standardised charge for the top-up fees.
The schools seemingly charged varying amounts, with some above E1 000, while the minimal charge was reportedly E42.
In accordance with Section 29(6) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini (2005), which guarantees the right to free primary education, an investigation by this publication established that several schools have been unlawfully charging top-up fees to fund a wide array of capital projects and operational costs.
These activities include the construction of numerous classrooms, ranging from blocks of three to six units, as well as the building of administration blocks, school kitchens and both staff houses and semi-detached accommodation.
Furthermore, the investigation found that parents were being charged for infrastructural improvements such as fencing and the renovation of storm-damaged classrooms.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
(L-R) Hhohho REO Dr Nathi Nkambule, Minister Owen Nxumalo and PS Nanikie Mnisi having a light moment in this file pic. Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training Nanikie Mnisi, moved swiftly to operationalise the ministry’s earlier warning. Formal letters were issued to the 39 implicated head teachers, directing them to show cause why they continued to demand top-up fees, in contravention of the FPE Act.