EZULWINI:Owen Nxumalo,the Minister of Education and Training says he will engage Cabinet particularly, Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini to find solutions regarding the ongoing delay in the payment of salaries for contract teachers.
Speaking at Somnjalose High School-Ezulwini on Thursday, the Education Minister and Training who was the Guest Speaker during a farewell function for retired teachers,emphasized the importance of addressing the welfare of teachers.
“One of the issues that need to be addressed is the delay in the payment of salaries,you find teachers waiting for six(6) months before receiving their salaries. I wonder why is this happening because the money to pay their salaries is allocated before they are employed,what causes the delay? These are are some of the issues that need to be addressed”,said the Education Minister.
The Education Minister further touched on the issue of the delayed delivery of food in schools saying he was aware of the challenges.
“The delay in the delivery of food in schools is caused by the procurement processes,we need to address this,those who have won the tenders must just deliver the food without delay”, he said.
Responding to this Swaziland News when asked to comment about the Education Minister’s speech,Lot Vilakati,the Secretary General(SG) of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT) applauded the Minister for touching on the issues but clarified that, these issues must be addressed collectively with all stakeholders.
“It was a brilliant speech but we need to engage, discuss and then sign a Collective Agreement binding us on how to address these issues”, he said.
The SNAT Secretary General further mentioned that,children were collapsing in schools amid the delay in the delivery of food adding that, tenders to supply food in schools must be allocated to different eSwatini businesses not just one(1) company.
On another note, Somnjalose High School Principal Macandza Mamba thanked the Education Minister and Training for gracing the event.
Education Minister Owen Nxumalo(c) with Somnjalose Principal Macandza Mamba and Schools Director Lungelo Nhlengetfwa during the farewell function for retired teachers.