FREE EDUCATION DREAM
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0$6:$7, would really love to have their children enMoy free education in both primary and high school.
That would ease the financial burden most parents have, especially with school fees in the country being on the steep side.
Finance Minister Neal 5iMkenberg says government is exploring the idea of introducing free secondary education to bridge the gap between primary and tertiary education.
,t makes sense because, as the minister noted, half of the children who go through primary school in Eswatini drop out and never enroll for high school education. 5iMkenberg was speaking at a press briefing last Monday.
He said the country currently had a 95 per cent intake at primary level but it was bothersome that 50 per cent of these children are not able to continue with their education afterwards.
This means that Eswatini is producing half-literate citi]ens.
:ith the poverty level still standing at 63 per cent, free education could help secure the future of thousands of our children.
The challenge is that Free 3rimary Education F3E has itself been a predominantly failed experiment.
6ince its inception 12 years ago, F3E has been problematic for both parents and teachers, especially school administrators.
Government pays only E560 per child each year.
This amount has remained constant despite inflation going up annually.
6ince 2010, parents and teachers have complained that this amount is not enough. $s a result, many schools demand top-up fees from the same parents who thought this programme would help them.
2ne does not need to be an economist with a doctorate degree to understand that whatever one bought for E560 more than 10 years ago now costs more than E1 000.
Government should avoid raising the nation’s hopes by promising free secondary education when it has been unable to make F3E a worthwhile programme.