Monday threats: Schools not closing - education PS
MBABANE – The Ministry of Education and Training Principal Secretary (PS) has responded to a letter written by the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) over their concerns over threats circulating on social media platforms.
“The ministry of education and training acknowledges receipt of your letter dated August 3rd, 2022 wherein you are notifying us about the purported threat of violence against anyone who will attend school from August 8, 2022,’’ reads the letter to the teachers association.
The letter further reads: “The ministry is not aware of the threats and thank you for alerting us. The ministry will do everything to ensure safety of teachers and pupils in the schools and make our own assessment.
‘‘Therefore, the expectation of the ministry is that schools will be operating normally on this date,” reads the letter. The PS, in an interview confirmed that he was responding to SNAT and maintained that the ministry will assess the situation.
On another note, the Minister of Public Service, Mabulala Maseko said the ‘Monday threat’were just like any other and government would ensure that security is provided, such that citizens were safe. Maseko said that security will be provided so that people carry on with life as normal in the coming week and continue with their work without intimidation. The minister pointed out that government would apply the NoWork, No-Pay rule, in case some civil servants absent themselves from their workstations.
ADVISED
This week, this publication reported that Public Sector unions (PSAs) had advised civil servants not to report to work this coming Monday. Secretary General (SG) of the Swaziland Local Transport Association (SLTA), Musa Dlamini said, they would assess the situation in the coming week. Dlamini said, as an association they had to assess the situation whether to operate or not in the following week.
“Remember we are also parents before we are public transport operators and as soon as we realise that we are exposing them to danger, then we have to make a call,’’ Dlamini pointed out.
Dlamini said it was up to every transport operator to act responsible and if need be, they should protect their properties and the pupils.
“There is nothing official at the moment and we are not aware of the Monday threats, however, we are on the lookout and will address our customers, the members of the public in due course, if transport would be available on Monday or not.’’
Ever since the country was hit by unrest last year June, the education time table of schools was disturbed and also the COVID-19 pandemic added to the disruption.
The Ministry of Education said there was a need to avoid these unprecedented school closures, as it disturbs the children and the education system. The ministry said the terms would be the normal three and that the first term is expected to begin in January next year, as usual.