MBABANE: Lady-Howard Mabuza, the Minister of Education and Training has clarified that she does not have the powers to close and open schools saying this falls within the jurisdiction of the office of the Prime Minister.
Speaking on Monday morning, during the current affairs programme when interviewed by editor Zweli Martin Dlamini on this Swaziland News audio channel, the Minister said she never announced the opening of schools as quoted by the Swazi Observer.
“I would like to clarify Dlamini that I am not aware that schools will open in two weeks as mentioned by the journalist(from Observer) because I stated clearly that government was busy preparing for the opening of schools by making sure that all the necessary facilities and resources are put in place. This include isolation and testing centres, we cannot therefore say we will open in two weeks because we are busy preparing the equipments in the regions and engaging stakeholders through consultations”,she said.
The Education Minister said once all the necessary consultations and preparations were concluded, the Acting Prime Minister would announce the opening of schools.
“Once the Acting Prime Minister announces the opening of schools as part of easing the partial lockdown, our role as the Ministry of Education is to implement a Government resolution and make sure that schools are opened in an environment that will not contribute to the spread of the COVID-19”, said the Education Minister.
Education Minister Lady Howard-Mabuza