News

Salesian High School Head teacher Petros Horton pulled out of the EPA NEC race and as a result, four members of the newly- elected executive committee won uncontested. The four newly-elected Eswatini Principals Association (EPA) national executive committee (NEC) members, who won the elections unopposed, include the President-elect, Welcome Mhlanga. EPA held its elective conference at Esibayeni Lodge.

The reopening of schools has sparked the COVID-19 infection rate among school-going children. Following the reopening, there has been a noticeable rise in infection among people below the ages of 18. Since schools opened on March 29, 2021, 10 COVID-19 cases were recorded among people below the ages of 18, which might be school-going citizens. The 10 infections among people less than 18 years were recorded from March 30 to April 18, 2020.

Following Parliament’s motion of urgent public importance that the Minister of Education and Training should halt the payment of 2020 outstanding fees, Minister Lady Mabuza has complied.Mabuza yesterday immediately suspended the payment of last year’s school fees during a brief press conference which was held in her office.

Most schools will fully-engage in online learning, which might be a challenge though with the shortage of teachers. The non-hiring of teachers by government will result in a double load for the available teachers. According to Eswatini Principals Association President Welcome Mhlanga, they were hoping to prepare a timetable to be followed by pupils who will be at home but there will be implications due to the glaring shortage of teachers.