Still no books, food in some schools
SITEKI – Some primary and high schools pupils have not been served daytime meals for three weeks since the reopening of schools this year.
This is because government has not yet delivered food to all the schools in the country. As results, some schools have advised parents to prepare meals for their children due to the fact that government has not yet delivered the food to schools. In some schools, books have also not been adequately delivered.
According to some schools’ head teachers, government, through the Ministry of Education and Training, still owed free primary education (FPE) money.
Worth noting is that the ministry will be rolling out the Competent Based Education (CBE) books for Grade V this yeara and Grade VI next year.
It has been established that government had delivered stationery to a majority of schools countrywide.
Distribution
Worth mentioning is that some of the head teachers indicated that they had been assured that the distribution of food and books, including the deposition of the FPE money, would take place this week.
A parent at Lomahasha Central Primary School voiced out her disgruntlement that she was informed by her child that the school’s administration had told them to bring their own food.
The parent said some of them went to enquire from the school’s administration about this directive and were told that government had not delivered food.
She added that she had to budget for lunch box for her child who was doing Grade III. The parent said the child’s lunch amounted to E50 per day.
“It is stressing for us as parents as some of us are unemployed and government’s introduction of the FPE eased the burden of the payment of school fees among parents. We hope government will act swiftly and sort out the problem as some of the children go to school on empty stomachs, which renders learning not conducive, as some pupils sleep during classes,” the parent said.
The parent further mentioned that children of parents who were in gainful employment were in a better position as they were able to buy something to eat from the vendors selling outside the school’s gate.
“Some of the children’s parents lost their jobs during the the COVID-19 pandemic, as most companies downsized operations,” she said.
Assembly of God Primary School Head teacher Sabbath Mhlanga, who also doubles as Eswatini Principals Association (EPA) Lubombo Branch Regional Secretary (RS), affirmed that his school had also not received food and books, including the FPE grants, from the ministry.
However, Mhlanga indicated that they had been given assurance by the office of Lubombo Regional Education Officer (REO), Richard Dlamini, that distribution of food would take place this week.
The head teacher said his school only received stationery and they were still waiting for books and the FPE grants.
He also mentioned that they were not as badly affected because they had food surplus from last year.
“I am optimistic that by next week (this week), government will distribute the food to schools,” he said.
Mitigate
Meanwhile, Siteki Nazarene High Deputy Head teacher Phetsile Dlamini also shared the same sentiments, mentioning that even though her school had not yet received food, they were able to mitigate this situation by channelling other school funds to ensure that food was available.
She also stated that the school had a rental book system. Dlamini said, as a result, the pupils were not affected as the school administration had to ensure that lessons were not disturbed by the unavailability of books.
“Lessons at the school continue without any disturbance and pupils are having their normal meals like any other year. It is true that government hasn’t delivered food and books. I am made to believe that we will have our food and food delivered this week,” she said. The school’s chefs were found busy preparing bread with butter and juice for the pupils’ breakfast meal.
Lubombo Deputy REO Thamie Dlamini acknowledged the plight faced by schools and assured them that government was sorting the problem.
Dlamini was addressing head teachers on Thursday at Simunye Country Club during the farewell function of 11 head teachers.
“Head teachers should not panic that much as the issue of food and books, including FPE will be sorted soon,” he said.
His counterpart at Hhohho, Tamryn Langwenya said it was not a disputable issue that the distribution of food in schools had not taken place.
However, she indicated that government was sorting out this dilemma and that schools should expect deliveries this week.
“I haven’t got a report from head teachers but am sure that some schools haven’t received their food for the calendar year. We are optimistic that this will take place this week,” she said.
Her counterpart at Manzini, Sizwe Kunene asked that the ministry be contacted to shed light on this matter.
However, efforts to a comment from Shiselweni Deputy REO Gugu Dlamini hit a snag as she did not pick calls when several attempts were made at the time of compiling this report.
His boss, Siboniso Gumbi asked not to comment as he was on leave and referred